This Is The Story You Wanted To Write...Well, Tonight Is The Night That You Can

Once again, SO TIRED.  I didn't even do much today...but still somehow I manage to be exhausted.

Just finished watching The Trouble with the Curve.  What a truly terrible movie.  At least I balanced it out by watching that masterpiece of cinematic exuberance, The Newsies.  Awesomesauce.

Despite my increasingly painful wrist, less and less cooperative hands, and family time, I managed to jot down 278 words today...and it's not even technically a writing day!  Joy!  May try to write a bit more tonight...or I may call it an early night (comparatively speaking).  Last night I finished writing, posted a blog, tooled around online, and then couldn't sleep.  By the time I got to bed it was after 4am.  I must try not to have a repetition of this tonight...I could really use the rest.

Okay, that's it!  I'm putting away my Moxie (it's a soda...if you don't know it, do yourself a favor and find a way to get some NOW), brushing my teeth, and hitting the hay.  Goodnight Neverland!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor 
Word Count: 135,075 (broke 135k!)
Writing Mode: Finished for the day!  Gonna give them one last taste of happiness before DEVASTATION, muahahaha! 

One Writes...Because Winter Is Eternal

No way...three posts in a week?  It's not possible!

Yes, my friends, it is possible.  I am BACK!

Just finished my writing for today...and lemme tell ya, it was exhausting.  The writing itself wasn't hard, but it was a longish day and all I really wanted to do was get to bed.  I managed to dash off a quick 674 words, however, bringing my grand total to 134,791.  Not too shabby!  Plus I should break 135k tomorrow!  Not much of a milestone, but it's 5k closer to 140,000, and brings me nearer to my ultimate goal of 200k.

Speaking of numbers, played a game tonight that was kind of like solitaire...only it encompassed 500 piles of cards and was a race against a bunch of other people.  I am exhausted.  I never wanna see another number again.

Also spent a good part of the day helping my cousin narrow down his list of potential colleges.  And by 'helping' I mean 'his mother and I did it while he whined about wanting to go to Best Buy & American Eagle.'  We got his list down from 1,600 to 73 to 34, however, so I feel like we did a decent job.  Now we just need to cross-reference schools with club/D3 baseball with the existing shortlist and we should have a decent starting point. 

Wow...none of that had anything to do with writing.  You can tell I'm tired.  Back on the topic of my book, I'm excited but wary of the next bit.  I really have to handle the coming chapter or so very carefully, so that Pilot may not only fall from grace but be redeemed, Bard can turn on Mer yet remain (somewhat) sympathetic, and everything will line up neatly with the very first scene I wrote: the scene that started it all.

No pressure, right?

What's really frustrating is that I feel like I was doing a really good job with the forest scenes I was writing a week or two ago...but now I'm back to a city and I feel like everything is a bit rushed.  These scenes have to be faster-paced: one, because Bryn & Mer are on the run and I want the reader to feel as pushed and breathless as they do, and two, because city scenes should just have a more rapid momentum than forest scenes.  Still, not happy.  I'll have to force myself to slow down for the upcoming scenes, and maybe do a bit of rewriting on the last few bits I wrote.

Well, now that that's decided I think I'm gonna toddle off for the night.  I had a delicious dinner (at Margaritas, yum!), even better dessert (homemade {by my grandpa} strawberry-rhubarb pie!!!), and am laying beneath half a dozen blankets but on top of a super cozy heated mattress pad.  The fact that I'm even semi-functional right now is beyond belief.  Besides, I've got to get up in the morning...my cousin decided we're going to 'get our nails did.'  Disturbing.

À bientôt, mes gens!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor
Word Count: 134,791
Writing Mode: Passing out


P.S. Robert Frobisher is a big inspiration to me right now...in case that isn't painfully obvious  :}~

A Half-Finished Book Is, After All, A Half-Finished Love Affair

Hola!

Well, this vacation has been AMAZING for my writing thus far.  Yesterday, while spending time in airports and on buses, I managed to scribble down something like 1,892 words!  That's almost a week's worth of writing!  That'll be super helpful if I don't quite meet my quota any day this week...but I'm gonna try to meet (and exceed!) my quota each day.

Anyway, Bryn & Mer have made a narrow escape, and will soon be meeting up with Pilot once more.  I'm super excited for her return, but the characters' descent down the slippery slope to their unhappy ending has begun.

...no, I'm not enjoying this.  I'm not!

...okay...maybe a little bit.

Things'll get better in the next book, so this isn't the end.  Don't judge me!

That's it for now!  Hasta luego!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor
Word Count: 133,688
Writing Mode: Satisfied, but headachish

Merry Christmas!!!

Just a quick post tonight, kids, as I should have been asleep exactly 1 hour 46 minutes ago.  Oops.

Anyway, I gave myself today off, which is a darn good thing because I got jack for writing done yesterday.  I spent the last hour or so catching up, and am once again attaining my word quota for the week.  Hopefully I'm able to meet my 500 per day tomorrow as well...might be tricky, since I'm travelling for the better part of the day.  Actually, that's why I'm supposed to be asleep right now...super super early flight.

Anyway, gotta go before my mum catches me up at this hour.  Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor
Word Count: 131,857 (broke 130k, woohoo!)
Writing Mode: Reinvigorated!

P.S. My buddy is reading the book right now (even though it's not finished yet) and he's had pretty positive things to say thus far!  I know that friends have to be nice...but still, I'm super excited!  Thanks for reading/reviewing, V!

4 Days 'Till DOOOOOOOOOOOM

Sooooo tired.  Just took an inventory of Christmas presents, both purchased and received.  I'm only waiting on a few to come in (hopefully they'll get here before Friday!), but I have several more to buy.  Plus I have to send Christmas cards, do wrapping, find a vet where I can board my cat, pack for Maine, take down my decorations before going to my mum's, and survive the end of the world this coming Friday.  It's a busy week.

Anyway, despite the craziness I am, as always, keeping up with my story.  I'm actually at a really interesting part...something I've had in my mind for quite a while.  As I've been saying for months, things are going to go swiftly downhill at one point in the book.  We've reached that point, and Bryn & Mer's life is going to be pretty grim until the end of the story.  However, the scene I'm writing now will provide just that hint of hope that will (hopefully) convince people that they want to trudge on into the second book  :}

In all seriousness, I'm fairly excited.  This scene will be a sort of branding for our heroes, and will (again, hopefully) provide enough of a balance between the bittersweet and the potential for change that people will go into the second book with optimistic hearts.

...or they could toss the book aside in disgust.

...or never pick it up at all.

But hopefully that will not be the case!

Anyway, it is most definitely time for bed.  I'm exhausted, and actually meant to go to bed at eleven (oops) and definitely no later than two (bollocks!).

Good night, you princes of Maine, you kings of New England.


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor
Word Count: 129,296
Writing Mode: Conked out

P.S. Why isn't bollocks spelled with an x?  I mean, honestly.  Bollox.

Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home

I knew that I wanted to quote Rowling for my blog title today, but I wasn't sure exactly which quote to use.  "And the idea of just wandering off to a café with a notebook and writing and seeing where that takes me for a while is just bliss" was a contender, as was “I was convinced that the only thing I wanted to do ever…was write novels.”  “I imagined being a famous writer would be like being like Jane Austen.  Being able to sit at home in the parsonage and your books would be very famous and occasionally you would correspond with the Prince of Wales's secretary,” had a charming, whimsical quality about it, and “no story lives unless someone wants to listen” very nearly made the grade.  But in the end it was the tried-and-true Hogwarts quote that won me over.

The past week or so has been hard, and this weekend was particularly difficult.  I went to a Christmas concert, which was lovely, and I not only decorated my place, but helped my mother decorate hers.  All good things.  But when I wasn’t in the holiday spirit I was fighting off attacks on myself, my family, and my friends.

That, and work today was just exhausting.  I’m not sure why: by all accounts it was a pretty easy day.  Maybe I just need a good, long night’s sleep.

Whatever the case, I’ve been seeking (and securing) solace in the 7^th Harry Potter book, as well as a very, very old interview I found with Rowling back when she still scribbled in notebooks at The Elephant Room.  I only found it because I was trying to find a way to get over there (at a thousand bucks a ticket I don’t see it happening any time soon), but something about the way she talked about her writing really reassured me.  One part I found particularly comforting was when she talked about her horrible fear (and resultant writer’s block) while writing her second book.  Every so often I am overwhelmed with doubts…about my writing, about the strength of my story, & etc.  Listening to a young, only slightly famous J.K. Rowling talking about her own writing woes really helped me get on level ground once more.

Anyway, despite all of this, I have been contentiously keeping up with my writing.  Today I wrote 578 words, and scribbled down the beginning of a flight scene.  The tide has turned against poor Bryn & Mer, and things are going to go quite badly for them…at least for a while.

I keep thinking that I’m nearly finished, when I probably have seventy or eighty thousand words to go!  I think it feels closer for a couple of reasons: one, because I’ve already come so far, and two, because it’ll be almost non-stop twists and turns from here on out.  It’s gonna be a wild ride  :}

I realize that the finished product will be massive…but that’s okay, I planned for that.  I’m gonna have to edit like crazy anyway, and in the past I’ve found it’s always better to have way too much than far too little.  Easier to carve away at the stone than to plaster on new hands.  Though I’m sure I’ll have to do that, too.

Anyway, I’m feeling fairly accomplished and in need of sustenance, so I shall bid you farewell.  Until next time, faithful readers!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor
Word Count: 126,778
Writing Mode: Curling up, prepping for Sleep Mode

Blogopolypse

Still alive!  Still keeping up with my 500 per day!

Running out with my dad (who is in from out of town!)  Write again soon!

Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor
Word Count: 125,470
Writing Mode: SO EXCITED

This One Left Them All Behind

Finished my writing for the day, completely caught up on my writing for the week, and hoping to get a bit of extra scribbling in this weekend!  Thank the gods for holidays!

I got out early on Wednesday, but between a crazy day at work, braving the store to pick up a faux turkey for me and tomato soup (for our tomato soup cake!) for my mum, and driving down from DC to my mum's house, I had no time to write at all.  I wrote a bit yesterday, but ended up passing out at the computer.  Typical.  So today I did all my make-up writing, and fulfilled today's quota as well.

So.  The title of today's blog.  Yes, fellow 80s film dorks, it is a reference to The Princess Bride.  I was writing a romantic scene between Bryn & Mer, and was totally stuck.  How did I want it to come across?  Hot?  Scandalous?  Pure and puritanical?  Suddenly I remembered those lines from The Princess Bride and knew how the scene had to be written. 

I got to write two romantic scenes between Bryn & Mer this week.  I was very excited.  It's a bit of a departure for me, but they (and the story) needed it.  Things will very shortly take a turn for the worse, and I think the bonding time for the characters will set this up perfectly.  Besides, the reader needs a little break, right? 

Yes, I admit it...I'm just making excuses.  I wanted to up the love story, so I did.  Hopefully it'll make everything to follow even more poignant. 

Speaking of poignant, Pilot's about to show up again.  Sigh.  I'm looking forward to that part because I think it'll be fun to write, but I know I'll have trouble with it.  Poor Pilot.

Anyway, I've got to clean myself and eat some lunch (/breakfast...I skipped it to keep writing) before heading out to see The Life of Pi.  Ciao for now!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor
Word Count: 120,963 (Broke 120k, woot!)
Writing Mode: Chugging along!

Happiness Is...

I'm at my mother's and am late for dinner, so let's make this quick.  Today was a good writing day  :}

I know, I know, I don't normally write on the weekends, but I needed to catch up a little from Wednesday (got pulled into a lunch with coworkers and then had a delicious evening of Belgian beer at the Cock & Bowl).  Anyway, managed 629 words in the last hourish...so yay!

I'm almost to a super SUPER exciting (and DIFFICULT) scene.  It'll be hard to write, but I'm very excited about it.

Also, I applied for the Bennett Fellowship!  If any other writers are reading this: DO NOT APPLY!  IT'S MINE, DO YOU HEAR ME?  MINEEEEEEE!!!

Seriously, though, I'm excited.  I feel fairly optimistic this time...mostly because I really believe in this book.  Which makes me sound big-headed.  I'm not...at least not usually.  Oh well.

My mother is calling.  Got to run!  In conclusion, my writing is making me incredibly happy, and gives me hope.  Plus I've suck with it and am coming up on an exciting, turning-point scene...good times.


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor
Word Count: 118,441
Writing Mode: Happy  :}

Corrections & Coffee

I forgot how difficult it is to be a back-seat writer.  I am currently sitting at Pound Coffee with my buddy Mike, trying to guide him through the thorny path that is writing a cover letter.  He's doing well, but now and then he tries to get creative and ends up with gems like "I thrive participating" or "I feel value and strength."  DEATH.

He just wrote "collzaboratize."  This is officially my cry for help.

Aaannnnyyyyway, MY writing has been going very well.  I managed to keep up last week during my sickness (ugh cold of DOOM) and am still going strong.  I generally only write about 500 words per day now (today was 520!), but at least I'm moving forward.  If I only had more time the book'd be done already--I've got pretty much every moment plotted out, but haven't had a chance to scribble it down.

I can't update you on my running total (didn't bring my laptop to the café, fail), but I believe I'm just shy of 120k.  Exciting times!

Alrighty, I've got a raspberry nutella latte to finish and an atrocious concluding paragraph to correct.  Laters  ;}


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor
Word Count: 120Kish
Writing Mode: RED INK HELL

Everything Is Connected

Just a quick post--my buddy Mike is coming by to drag me out to lunch...and then take me shopping for galoshes!  I'm planning to do some writing later tonight (was actually going to do it now, oh well) and will probably post again then.

Right now, though, I am bubbling with excitement!  I have been working on the overarching pattern and theme of my trilogy (yeah, yeah, I know, I'm not even done with the first book yet), and yesterday it all suddenly came together.  I had an idea of how everything would intersect, and I knew all of the major plot points, but suddenly I see how it all fits.  I'm thrilled...it's like up until this point I've just been catching glances of the world while driving down a wooded road...then suddenly I stepped out of the car and out onto a scenic viewpoint, able to see the entire world below, above, and around me. 

I'd write the pattern and points of intersection down here, but I've put enough spoilers on this blog as it is.  Maybe I'll sketch it out later, though, and stick it into my notes file.

Ok, got to run!  Those galoshes won't buy themselves...and after seeing the way that Sandy pummeled the East Coast I feel like I'd better get them while the getting's good!

Cheers, mates!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor
Word Count: 113,074
Writing Mode: On-hold for gastronomy & galoshes shopping

You Can't Spell 'Hurricane' Without 'I Can!'

2,396 words. 

Writing for today complete. 

May write more tomorrow. 

Maybe. 

After my fellowship SoP.

Now.

Time for bed.


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor
Word Count: 112,159
Writing Mode: Pleased with the day's work, currently zonked out

Frankenstorming the (Literary) Castle

Back again!

Hurricane Sandy has not managed to dampen my spirits: indeed, she gave me the day off, which allowed me to not only catch up on my writing (DAMN YOU, HEAVY WORKLOAD & HALLOWEEN WORK CELEBRATIONS THAT KEEP ME FROM WRITING!) but to get a bit ahead.  I might even try to get tomorrow's writing done tonight so that tomorrow (another day off) I may focus on my statement of purpose for the Bennett Fellowship!  Yeah, that's right...I'm gonna apply.  Again. 

Haters gonna hate!

In other news, I am nearing the downward slope towards my story's inevitable, painful end.  I have to say, I'm super excited!  But before I get there I must slog through Bryn & Mer's on-foot journey from Saratoga Springs to Portsmouth.  They'll have some help from Pilot, which'll shorten the voyage considerably, and I'll only write some convos and the important stuff...but that's still a lot of dead time to muddle through.  Fortunately, it'll be livened up by banter, flirting, and the eventual succumbing to carnal desires of the flesh...and admissions of affection.  I'm kind of excited about that bit, too  ;}~

Anyway, I should get back to writing...just wanted to make sure I updated this blog before passing out again...or before the Frankenstorm knocks out my power. 

Stay dry, my friends.


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor
Word Count: 111,324 (yay, broke 110k!)
Writing Mode: Pushing through exhaustion

Death...Is Only The Beginning...

I AM ALIVE!!!

I am Lazarus, I am Neo, I am whatever other characters have come back from the dead.  Harry Potter!  I am Harry Potter!  But without the glasses and bizarre after-death dreams.

I haven't been keeping up well with this blog...and to the one whole reader I have: I am sorry.  Life has been insane, and I've had absolutely no time to document my writing.

That being said, I still AM writing!  I've been keeping up with my 500 per day, and have reached a grand total of 109,739 words! 

That hardly seems to have changed at all...but I guess that's what happens when you go from writing 2k per day to 500.  Le sigh.

Anyway, the story is developing nicely.  Bryn and Mer are tooling about in the woods on their way to a yet-undisclosed location where they will drop the chip.  This is an exciting part, as it'll be the great development of their relationship.  They'll bond, confide in each other, and...do other fun things.  I'm looking forward to writing it  ;}~

I think I've probably got another 50k to go before the end of the story, though I'm not sure about that.  It might end up being much, much more, or it might be less.  Really just depends on how concise I am with my writing, and if I include or exclude this one section I've been contemplating.  I love it, but it might wait until the second book...or might go in this one.  Or maybe it'd be better in the next one.  Or...

Blah.  Too many decisions for a Wednesday.  Guess I'll just do what I've been doing: keep on writing and see how it turns out.

Anyway, my lunch break is up, but I wanted to jot out a little update before I returned to my cell desk.

Toodles mes peuples!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor
Word Count: 109,739
Writing Mode: Smooth, wishing for more time

Such Great Heights

Hum.  I have a quandary.

I've got Bryn and Mer about to set out on foot.  It'll be a short trip--only 8 or so days, but of course they'll be waylaid along the way.  I'm fairly happy with the way the story is going...but I've written myself into a bit of a corner.  I sent Pilot off into the sky with Bard, and left Bryn and Mer on the ground.  This was intentional, and it's fine...but now I need to come up with a way to get Pilot back on the ground so that she can betray them and then redeem herself.  But how???

Distress call from Bryn?  That was my original thought.  Meet-up to discuss Bard?  For supplies?  In an attempt to skip over a barricade set up by the Company Men?

It is indeed a quandary, and I'll have to percolate and figure something out.  Blah.

Anyway, I know I owe you a longer update but I've spent my entire lunch writing and have to jet back to my desk now.  More soon!

A bientot!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor
Word Count: Dunno, but added something like 621 at lunch today!
Writing Mode: Limited by time, but otherwise steady as she goes

That I Shall Say Good Night Till It Be Morrow

Crazy week, as always!  Of course, the fact that I'm blogging at 2.37 in the morning might be some indication.  Anyway, I've been keeping up with my 500 words per day--I've already written 2,670 this week, and I didn't even do any writing today!

What?  I'm a slacker, you say?  Don't judge me!  Look, I wanted to write, but my new co-workers were taking lunch, and I'm trying to make an effort to get to know them, and saying "no, sorry, I brought a sandwich and I'd rather write than spend lunch eating soy Pho and discussing work and politics" didn't seem like it'd fly.

(It ended up being kinda fun anyway.  Shh, don't tell!)

Anyway, I'm going to try to write more this weekend--really feeling antsy about skipping today--but at least I've met my weekly goal. 

One thing I probably will do tonight is go back and re-write a scene from the very beginning of the book.  It's a scene concerning a character who really has no presence in the first book, but will play a major part in book two.  I was a bit uncomfortable with the scene when I wrote it, and tonight (while pumicing my feet--the life of an aspiring writer is glamorous) I realized why.  He's in (or, spoiler alert, appears to be in) mortal danger during the scene, and I'm going to change the danger to correspond with a terrible misfortune that befalls him in the second book.

...it seems odd to refer to death as a terrible misfortune.  Oh, whoops...spoiler alert!

As for life outside of the writing realm (as if such a thing even exists!), work is going as well as I suppose I had any right to expect.  Okay, not really...or at least, it's not going as well as, right or not, I hoped it would.  I process expenses, schedule, fiddle around with spreadsheets, order catering, and go to meetings all day long.  I'm fairly certain that my record thus far is five meetings in one day...but it may be more.

It's mindless but incredibly time-consuming work, and I've a scorching headache by the end of every day.  Too many hours spent holding in curses while glaring at the computer, I suppose.  At least the people are (for the most part) nice.  Like I said, I'm working my tail off to ingratiate myself. 

Oh, and there's a cute boy who works at the end of the hall.  I walk by him from time to time, but I don't think he'd be into me...I'm zaftig to the point of being downright Rubenesque, whereas he is an ultra marathoner.  Still, doesn't hurt to look!

Okay, I've got to get going if I'm going to scribble through that scene tonight.  Good night, good night!  Parting is such sweet sorrow!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor (it's still sort of bittersweet to write that...I think that Traditor is a better fit for this book, and I'm still using the prior title for book two, but it's so sad not to see Nosce Te Ipsum there  ;{  )
Word Count: 102,846
Writing Mode: Moderately successful, currently fighting exhaustion

Quidquid Latine Dictum Sit Altum Videtur

Hello mes peuples!

Been doing a bit of writing this morning...just a quick half-scene, as I'm going out with my mum in a hot second for a birthday hang-out day!  It might be cut short by one of her clients, but I suppose if that happens I'll have more time for writing. 

Anyway, one thing I thought I'd talk about today is the title of this book.  I've been calling it Nosce Te Ipsum, which, in Latin, means "know thyself."  Roughly, anyway.  However, I've not decided on the final title of this book, and so I thought I'd show you some of the titles I've been considering:

Book Names:
       Book 1: Nosce Te Ipsum
       Book 2: A Road Without Deviations
       Book 3: Sturm und Drang

Alternatively, maybe change 1 to Sturm und Drang and 3 to Tempus Fugit, or leave 1 as it is and name 3 Tempus Fugit…figure out at a later date.

Alternate order:
       Traditor
       Nosce Te Ipsum
       Sturm & Drang/Tempus Fugit/A Road without Deviations

Other possible names:
       1
          Traitor
          Traditor
          Sublimation
          The Sound of the Surf
      
       2
          Reclamation
          Land no More

       3
          Transubstantiation
          Beyond the Shore/Beyond the Sure

Fairly certain, at this point, that Nosce Te Ipsum is actually going to be the title of the 2nd book.  It's much more pertinent to that book's storyline than this one...and besides, Traditor is really, really perfect for the first book.  Traditor is Latin, and it means, according to Wikipedia, "one who delivers."

Anyway, I must fly!  Got to clean up and get dressed for my birthday date with mum.  Au revoir!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Traditor
Word  Count: 100,472
Writing Mode: Excited to write what's next!

Angels With Filthy Souls

Just finished catching up with my Tuesday-Thursday writing...my Monday and Friday writing I actually accomplished on the days themselves.  In total, over yesterday and today, I've written 2,033 words.  I hope to write more later on today, but for now I must stop and shower.  I'm heading down to my mum's in a bit for birthday fajitas and cake! 

My birthday is part of why I've gotten so little done this week--every night someone was dragging me out for birthday shenanigans.  Awesome, but not conducive to productivity.

Anyway, I managed to give myself a wonderful birthday present--I BROKE 100K!!!

:D

I am super, super happy, and I'm so excited to get to the rest of the book.  I think it's going to take forever because of my now-limited writing time, but so long as I keep up my 500 words per day it'll get done eventually.  Then I'll have to edit, and edit, and edit again...and maybe eventually look for someone to publish it (not to mention getting started on the next one!).  Still, despite all the work ahead, I am SUPER PUMPED!

Anyway, I must depart.  There is a Soul Wash outside of my window and I'd really like to figure out what the hexagon that entails before I toddle off to mum's.  Maybe I could just run through there instead of taking an actual shower...whatever cleans my filthy soul must also get my epidermis clean, right?


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 100,176 bitches!!!
Writing Mode: Excited, looking forward to doing more...after cake, of course.

Anything Worth Doing...

So...yeah.  Haven't posted in a while.  Oops.

In my defense, everything has been crazy.  I've been keeping up with my 500 words, though I'm no longer anywhere near the 1,500 or so average I was achieving before.  It seems this new job was a huge mistake in terms of my writing.  Well...not just in terms of my writing, but that's a topic for another time.

Anyway, in spite of the world, I'm still plugging away with my story!  I'm fairly happy with what I've written over the past week or so: an encounter with Jules, then another with Pilot and Bard...and I'm about to reveal a secret from Pilot's past that's really going to mess with Mer...but will go a long way towards explaining why Pilot is the way she is.  Plus it encourages her to storm out of Dissenter HQ, which means that she gets to her plane before they lock it down.  I'm sure none of this makes any sense to you, but it's all exciting for me!

Most exciting is where I am in the story.  I've got a bit of slog-writting coming up, but after that it'll be one exciting, terrifying thing after another until the conclusion.  I'd love to be done by the end of November (for NaNoWriMo!) but I don't think that'll happen.  If not November, I'd love to be done by the new year...though that might also be overly optimistic. 

Mostly I'd really just love to break 100k by my birthday...which is in 2 days.  Don't really see it happening...but maybe I'll get loads done tomorrow?  Or I could push it off to this weekend--give myself the rest of the week to get it done.  It's my birthday present to myself, after all!

Anyway, I'd love to blather on, but I'm STARVING.  I have a pizza crust in the fridge that's calling my name, just waiting to be baked into delicious gooeyness.  Nom nom nom!

Laters  ;}~


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: Holy shit, 98,101!!!
Writing Mode: Foot-gnaw-offingly hungry


P.S. I've designed the cover of the book.  It's beautiful  :} 

I'll post a pic as soon as I have it all put together.

And Nothing Hurt

It's 4am, and I need to be up in three hours. However, I haven't posted in a week...I owe you.

I've kept up with my 500 per day this first week of my new job, but only barely. Had to make it all up Friday night/Saturday morning...which I did, and then some. No numbers, but I for sure got my 500 per day...just more or less all at once.

I could talk about the current plot, but I suppose that can wait. I could (and, I'm sure, soon will) talk about my new awful job...but that can wait, as well.

Today I was at the Small Press Expo.

My whole life I've heard creatives say that they had to do X (write/sing/dance/paint/act/etc)or they would die. I always thought this was a bit melodramatic.

Since beginning this long-term writing project, I've noticed a direct correlation between writing and my happiness. If I write, I'm happier. If I don't get to, I am more easily depressed. Thus, today, when an artist said that she had to create or she would die, I finally understood what they all meant. It isn't that if I can't write I'll die, it's that writing gives me a reason to live.

Writing lets me cope with people I can't comprehend in a world that makes no sense. I deal with the madness of working in an office for months and years on end by writing my way to a sort of tenuous understanding of the world.

And speaking of the office, I'd better pass out so that I actually will make it there in the morning. Good night, you princes of Maine, you kings of New England.

Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 93,000ish?
Writing Mode: Inspired but exhausted

He Who Controls The Starbucks Controls The Universe

1,191 words today, each one an epic struggle against the three deadly sirens of my apartment: the shower, the tv, and, most deadly, the dread bed.

I started my new job today. I was in orientation literally all day...and thus had to write when I got home. There's nothing quite like spending 7.5 hours listening to people talk at you (and downing coffee like it was Spice) to make you wanna go home and bust out 1k. I'm really trying to hit 100k by my birthday, though, so that's a big incentive. Besides, I've been super inspired lately...even if I haven't had time to do much about it.

Anyway, I've still gotta shower and brush my teeth, so that's all for now. Nighty noodles!

Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum

Word Count: 92,253

Writing Mode: Zzzzzzz.......

Is This A Kissing Book?

Ok...I don't want to be a girly-girl...but writing today was so fun!!!

Today was just going to be the meal that Bryn & Mer were eating, maybe followed by their meeting with Jules. However, I got into editing a couple of things, adding a sentence or two to what I wrote yesterday...and then I wrote a kissing scene.

<3

Ok, I know I'm being a huge girl about this...but it was adorable. I know, I know, poor Bryn & Mer...I'm such a voyeur. They were fighting over Bryn feeding Mer marshmallow salad (which is gross, btw), and then he got all smarmy and kissed her. Squee!

Well, if I'm being honest, he didn't get that smarmy. I'm really over books that make everything super smarmy...if people are into each other it's got to be all flowers and chocolate and fat cherubs with rosy diapers...ew. With Bryn & Mer I want it to be love, of course, but also lust (desire), honesty, equality...and no rosy diapers.

Either way, it was super cute to write...and honestly, FINALLY I get to write a kissing scene that isn't poisoned with betrayal. I think I'll have Mer waffle about that a bit, apologizing for the last time, and Bryn be all noble and say that he trusts her, etc. SMARM.

Anyway, writing has been going swimmingly...hopefully it can continue in this vein in my new job. Or after work. Whatever happens, I've got to keep on keeping on. What matters is the writing!

And speaking of...today I broke ninety-thousand words!

Out for now, time to do a bit of grocery shopping before curling up with a cup of tea (and, with dinner, maybe a Belgian beer) and Harry Potter V. Cheers!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 90,992
Writing Mode: Invigorated (and smarmy!)

Stressed

Well, first things first:

Writing has been going swimmingly! Yesterday I wrote 1,816 words, and would have had more if I hadn't had a damn end-of-day report to do. I was at an easy bit, of course, but still: exciting!

I'll have to slog through a meal scene today, blah. Then rest and a bit of interesting stuff as I show how Pilot does when out of the sky for any sort of extended period of time. Then our heroes will meet with Jules once more before setting out.

I'm actually kind of excited for their on-foot journey. I think that it'll give me a lot of opportunity to develop their relationship, as well as provide Mer with opportunity to grow as a person. And, of course, at the end of the journey is a trainwreck (pun intended! Oh, you don't know what's gonna happen, so you don't get it...muahahaha) of epic proportions, so that'll be fun to write.

I'm hoping that I'm approximately two-thirds, or three-fifths (five-ninths? seven-thirteenths?) through with the story. We'll see...I have a feeling that the last few events will drag out like woah...but I'm okay with that. I don't care how long the story is at this point...as long as I hit 100k before September 26th. It's my birthday present to myself!

So...on to why I'm stressed. I am SO stressed!

I am starting a new job next week. Yes, again. I'm actually quite sad about it--I've come to really like the people I'm working with, and will miss them. I'll also miss being literally a five-minute walk door-to-desk from work (I left at 8.22 this morning and was at my desk by 8.28...but then was sent home as the girl I was temping for is now back). Plus the work environment is good: everyone there is very nice, the work is light (as evidenced by my ability to churn out 1,000-2,000 words whenever I'm there), they have a decent cafeteria, great food trucks outside, and everyone seems to think I'm a godsend. I reformatted a word document the other day, integrating several different drafts into one, and the woman in the office whom everyone hates and fears wrote a letter to my project manager saying that I'd put in "a herculean effort" and was a massive asset to the company, blah blah blah. I mean, I'm crazy giving this up, right? But everyone said I should take my new job. Better opportunity, they said. Might open doors, they said. Might meet young, smart, fun people, they said. And maybe they'll be right...but I'm terrified it'll be ridiculously bureaucratic (I've been warned about this...multiple times), stuffy, stuck-up, and awful. Plus it'll mean getting up half an hour earlier. And it'll probably be a lot more work, i.e. less writing time. Which I get...it is work, after all, but I wanna get this damn book done.

I dunno. Guess I'm just nervous. Also, evidently someone's been going around telling everyone I know that this is my dream job, so I'm having to explain (over and over and OVER) that working as a goddamn admin is hardly my idea of a dream job. And then I sound ungrateful. Blah.

Anyway, I suppose I should get back to recruiting (yuck). At least I shouldn't have to do that in my new job...er, at least, I don't think I will. We'll see.

Off for now! Can't work on the story until this afternoon because I'm supposed to be recruiting (I wrote this on and off on short 1 or 2 minute breaks between reviewing resumes). Hopefully I'll still get a decent amount done, though.

Live long and prosper.


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 88,111
Writing Mode: Delayed due to actually having to work during work hours

Tomorrow...Is Another Day!

Wahooooo! Out of my slump! I started writing first thing this morning, probably because I felt super guilty about slacking yesterday. I'm not good in the mornings--I'm much more productive in the afternoons (once my coffee's kicked in and I've had some time to wake up). Still, so far this morning I've managed to write 564 words! I've already hit my goal for today, so anything else is GRAVY! I'm hoping to get at least another 500 or so, though...if I'm honest with myself, I'd really like at least another 1,000. Gotta build up the weekend buffer...especially since I probably won't be writing this holiday Monday. With any luck I'll actually be at the Ren Faire, though that might happen on Sunday.

Anyway, Bryn and Mer are going to have a bit of downtime while they chill in the Mess, grab food, and goof off. Bryn is going to teach Mer how to pick a lock, and she's going to stop being so damn passive and start taking charge of her life. It doesn't end well for her, of course...not 'till the third book, anyway ("wtf, Amy already has three damn books planned out? She cray-cray, y'all!").

Also, excitingly, I realized that I am almost to the meat-and-bones of my book! After the mess Bryn and Mer are going to plot with Jules, quit HQ, and head out. They'll be taken as far as Saratoga Springs, NY, then they'll have to hoof it from there (roadblocks, monitoring on all public transit, etc.). They'll be nearly captured, Pilot will be called in to rescue them, she'll panic and leave them, and they'll barely escape. Poor Pilot ;{ Anyway, Pilot will have a second chance, redeem herself...and die. Poor, poor Pilot, I really don't want to write that bit. Then of course Bard will betray Bryn & Mer, setting up the terrible, terrible ending...which I won't spoil here. This is the stuff I've been waiting to write since Pilot--the first character I created from this book--first popped into my head.

...I am a literary homicidal maniac. Je pleure.

Anyway, I'll try to write again later, once I've finished with the story for the day. For now, mes peuples, à bientôt!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: Eh...didn't check. +564 to whatever it was yesterday!
Writing Mode: HOMICIDAL, MUAAHAHAHAHA

BLARGH

Really, really, really terrible writing day. Only got 706 words done, and most of that was in the last half hour. Carpal tunnel, reports, distraction, need for chocolate, and verizon maxxing out my goddamn card by charging me for a phone I already returned served to be enough of a distraction to really foul up my writing. At least I finally hit my stride (in the past 5 minutes) and set myself up fairly nicely for tomorrow's writing.

Oh, and I've taken to quoting this blog in my work, weirdly. I took that bit I wrote about Jules and had Bryn say it today. This is probably a poor decision. But hey, it helped get me to my word count.

BLARGH

Audi.


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 84,387
Writing Mode: BLARGH

Steady As She Goes

As always, I only have a minute to write! Today was a decent writing day--got 1,121 words out, despite a report and lots of last-minute calls. I finally got to introduce Jules, yay! I'm going to have to show her in a somewhat kinder light sometime during this chapter, however, as right now she's not looking so good. That's kind of her character, though...an idealistic, decent person who gets ensnared in the bureaucracy and disconnection of an increasingly amoral cause. She's interesting, and I need to make sure to treat her kindly.

Pilot is, unfortunately, off gallivanting at the moment, but I plan to bring her back very soon. I'm hoping to keep this chapter fairly short (I keep going all Hemingway with my damn description...will have to cut soooooooo much of it out) so that I can get to the travelling/betrayal chapters to come. Pilot's betrayal is probably what I am MOST excited to write about, followed only by the terrible, terrible ending (sorry, Mer. Sorry, Bryn).

Anyway, 3 minutes 'till I get to leave, so audi for now!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 82,442
Writing Mode: Steady as she goes

A Star to Sail Her By

Wow. Today was SUCH a fun writing day!

It started out slowly...I feel like I say that every day. "It started out slowly, and I thought it was going to be awful, and then it was/wasn't!" Seriously, the first 500 words are the hardest. Once I'm past that, somehow it just starts to flow.

Anyway, today was more description--lots of talk and imagery about the Dissenters' camp. Thought I was going to get to introduce Jules today, but no such luck. Tomorrow for sure!

What was especially fun today was the dichotomy, and the symbolism. I did a lot of describing that was more about the Dissenters themselves than their camp. Also, I played with the idea of dust/dirt, light/dark (that's one of the major themes of my book, actually...that, and the ocean), and direction/lack thereof. Pulled a compass rose in for that last one, so there's the ocean again! Anyway, I am evidently going to be prepping some reports for tomorrow, so I thought I'd paste a few selections from today's writing in here to amuse you:


"They stepped away from the carved walkway, into a makeshift town. Tents, shacks, and hovels of all description surrounded them. They seemed to be dwellings—as they passed down the road of packed earth, Mer caught glimpses of uneven tables and sad, improvised bed nests. Dust billowed around their feet with every step, swirling up in a desperate bid for freedom before drifting, resigned, back to be trodden underfoot.

The road became more even, and suddenly they came upon a line of delineation. An intersection stretched before it. Halfway through, the road abruptly changed to smooth, even concrete. Behind them, acres of shanties lay in crumbling silence; before, squat, featureless concrete squares lined the pallid drive. Each had a small yard of poured concrete, a flat wooden door, and one tiny, shaded window set far back in the flat stone siding. Some of the Dissenters had tried to personalize their yards: here and there rough-hewn chairs sat, next to wilting ferns and the occasional child’s sprawled doll. Under the fluorescent lights, high and dim at the top of the cavern, these personal touches appeared desolate and meaningless.

Mer was distracted by the sight of a sullen child. It—for it was impossible to determine what gender it was—sat cross-legged in the center of its stone grass. It was plastered with brown dust from the cave walls, mixed with the fine white powder that seemed to lie over the entirety of the cavern. It was making mud-pies of dry, sandy earth, patting them together only to watch them fall apart as soon as its hands were removed. The child looked up at them as they passed. It was all muddy hazel eyes and dusty blond hair. Mer wondered what it was thinking, if, she thought, looking into those dull eyes, if it was thinking. A voice called from within the house and the child stood, all obedience. It brushed the sand from its hands, adding to the collection on its clothes, then walked docilely into the house.

Mer stared down at her feet, avoiding the sight of row after row of infinite homogeny. She traced finite fractures in the concrete, watching her steps stir the dust.

Mer noticed the road widening, and looked up to find herself walking into a massive, open space.

“Compatriot Commons,” Bryn said, answering Mer’s unarticulated query. “It was designed as a meeting place: somewhere to hold festivals, community events, and open votes.”

The concrete was cracked, here, with no attempts made to patch it. The dust was heavier than ever, as though this circle was intentionally avoided. The powder rose as they stepped down, choking her.

“I-it looks ab-abandoned,” Mer said, coughing.

“It more or less is. As I said earlier, those community votes never materialized. Neither did whatever parties they thought would be thrown here. Nobody comes here, now; not even the children.”

“So why did we come this way?”

Bryn paused, directly in the center of the circle. The center of the plaza was set with a round marble plaque, a compass rose engraved on its white, polished surface. Looking out, Mer didn’t see houses and empty roads, but rays shooting off of a great glowing sun, leading to all points of the crepuscular cavern.

“I always thought it was beautiful,” Bryn said simply, releasing Mer’s arm, sliding his fingers into hers, leading her away."


So I guess that's it! Obviously I've cut bits out of the above selection, which is why it doesn't flow so well as it ought. I didn't want to give you all 1,139 words, however! Oh, and speaking of, today I broke 80k!

...yes, I'm going to keep celebrating all of these silly milestones. Every 10k, every 25k, and any other fun ones I can throw in there. No, evidently I'm not getting tired of fluffing my own feathers.

Aite dawgs, time for me to peace! Audi!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 80,512
Writing Mode: Satisfied. Also, my migraine seems to be in remission, so woot!

(That's What SHE Said)

Phew, decent writing day. 1,122 words, and that's after eating nothing but one of those fiber one mini granola bars and 3 jelly beans ALL DAY. Spoiler alert: I'm starving.

Anyway, today was another fun writing day, though not as productive as yesterday. Today I wrote in a new character, who will be pretty minor in this book but will have a bigger role in the second (gasp! did she just say second?!). Then I got into the politics of the Dissenters, which has been so fun.

I've only just skimmed the surface in today's writing, but more will become clear (painfully clear) throughout the next chapter or so. Basically, however, this is what is going on: the setting for this story, as I think I've said before, is basically a not-so-distant future where American politics, business, and religion have all fused as one. It's a terrible, manipulative, horrible society, and the chip which Bryn & Mer are trying to steal is only the latest in a number of unconscionable actions by the government.

At this point in the story, the only group that seems to be standing up to the government is a rebel faction known only as the Dissenters. Anyone who knows me will know that I have a huge soft spot for rebel factions, and would therefore assume that the Dissenters would be good. Hell, they must be good since they're standing up to Super Gov, right?

Wrong.

The Dissenters are awful. I intensely dislike them...more, even than the gov. Dissenter society is highly communistic, but also hypocritical, controlling, dispassionate, and cruel (so...communist). Jules, Bryn's contact, is the only one I find tolerable...and her only just. It's going to be a very confusing few chapters for Mer, who is going to enter the society and hate it, seeing all of the parallels between it and her own distasteful society. She'll wonder if Bryn really endorses it (of course he doesn't) and if he's really a bad guy after all (of course he's not). Anyway, I got into a bit of that today, and it was highly amusing. I'd keep writing, but 1. I'm almost out of time, and 2. I haven't eaten anything all day and must focus all of my energy on not imploding.

Also, I have a date tonight. I am less than pleased.

On a lighter note, the title of this blog is a reference to the fact that I actually worked a 'that's what s/he said' joke into my writing today! That, and the fact that I'm evidently obsessed with brackets today. I'm sure (am I sure? Today's going by pretty slowly (Ugh, so so painfully slowly! Who knew it could be so long (that's what she said!))) that I'll get over it soon.

Anyway, I'm off to have a terrible date. Wish me luck in surviving. At least we're going to a restaurant with killer tomato soup!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 77,644
Writing Mode: Famished

Detached-Attached

Just a quick update today, as I only have 13 minutes to type this out, post it, shut everything down, and close up for the day. Yay!

Anyway, Thursday and Friday were terrible writing days. Not because I wasn't inspired, but because I had a huge report to work on, and didn't have any time...and then after work I was rushing around like crazy. Plus I was super out of it...I'm switching jobs and just told my boss...he was really, REALLY upset.

Anyway, the report is done and I'm in a much better mood today, and I managed to pound out 2,033 words! Not too shabby! Take that, Monday!

Anyway, I thought that today was going to be a very difficult writing day. Mer was climbing down into HQ (it'll make sense when you read the story), getting through some doors, etc. Nothing exciting. Yet somehow it turned into a lot of fun, and I got to put in a section of Bryn being...well...Bryn. All in all, a successful writing day.

As for the title of this post, it refers to the way I've been feeling about the story. Sometimes, on difficult writing days, I feel completely detached from my characters. Like I don't know who they are, and don't understand why they're doing what they're doing in a given situation. Most of the time, however--and today in particular--I feel very attached to my characters, and know how each of them will react to things without really needing to analyze it. I have their backgrounds pretty well worked out, and know their personalities, so most of the time it's easy. Today was one of those days :} There are times, however, when trying to figure them out is like trying to teach Q compassion and self-restraint.

Anyway, there's so much more I'd like to get into, but I am out of time! Laters, babes!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 76,508 (woo broke 75k!)
Writing Mode: Reinvigorated!

A Little Pretty Prose

Hola children!

I don't really have much time to write here, as I've been working on my book right up to the last moment again. Instead of giving you a proper update, I thought I'd post a little pretty prose that I pounded out. This is actually from yesterday's writing, but I like it so it's what you're getting and you can all be grateful and thank me for it MUAHAHHAA.

^This is why I should never have power.

Anyway, in this scene, Bryn, Mer, Pilot, and Bard are on Pilot's plane, headed for HQ:


"Then they were upon it, shooting down an alley of white beech, the glowing bark like runway lights amidst the darkness of the forest. The path turned slightly, but Pilot was prepared, dipping her other wing and curving through the wood before the alley narrowed once more. Twelve breathless seconds and then they were out, the bottom of the plane sluicing through a cerulean blue pool, kicking up water in robins’ egg waves. The plane skipped like a stone, sliding through the water, looping gracefully until it came to rest beneath arched, obscuring pine branches.

Mer released Bryn’s hand. He shook it, cocking an eyebrow at Mer as he let it flop, useless, from his wrist. Mer smacked the hand, which he snatched back protectively. Mer grinned, then stood, moving to the window. Bryn joined her, and together they surveyed their surroundings.

They were on a lake. Blue water rippled around them, tossed by the early autumnal air. Translucent green leaves danced on gently-waving trees, their tips just tinged with gold. Overhead, grey geese cried grey cries, urging each other on, crying not yet, not yet, not yet.

There were structures in the distance. Wooden shambles, crumbling in on themselves, long forgotten. Their skeletal remains reached towards the sky in supplication, raising their hands with prayers that were never heard.

“It’s beautiful,” Mer said, her spirits descending from the high of the flight. The lake was all citrine and gamboge and azure; but the birds flew above it, and the wind hurried through it, and a melancholy nestled within this oasis from the regulated world.

Mer shifted, unconsciously moving closer to Bryn. Their hands brushed, and she stepped away, not wanting to crowd him. Bryn didn’t move, however. He stood, one hand on the back of his chair, gazing out at their enclosure. Mer drifted back towards him, intentionally, this time. Their hands brushed, and, in a moment of bald courage, she slipped her hand into his. Bryn hesitated, then closed his fingers around her own. They stood, the season falling around them, watching the lake slumber before their eyes."


That was fun to write! If it's not painfully obvious, I am super excited for Fall :D

Anyway, time to head down to the Cock & Bowl for a delicious, delicious Scaldis with friends. Audi!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 74,144
Writing Mode: Satisfied

Death Is Only The Beginning

This isn't an update...just a quick post to note a little problem...

I don't want to kill Pilot. I don't want to kill Pilot. I don't want to kill Pilot.

I don't want to kill Pilot.

She's...glorious. A masterpiece of flaws. I love her. I don't want her dead.

That is all.


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 73,073
Writing Mode: Dreading the inevitable...


P.S. I don't want to kill Pilot

Better Be, With Twinings Tea

Just a quick note before I jet out of work! Was given a simple but long & tedious task at work today, which took up most of my afternoon (not to mention my writing time!). Just managed to squeeze out 515 words...but may try to write more later on tonight. Must still vacuum, cook dinner, eat, take out the trash, take out the recycling, do the cat litter, shower...blah. Overwhelming. But may put off vacuuming (Gasp! The scandal!) to do a bit of writing.

If I don't keel over, that is. Think I'm getting a cold...

Anyway, audi for now, mes peuples. Going to pack up and spend my remaining 5 minutes or so daydreaming about Twinings Tea...


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: Um...whatever it was last time...plus 515?
Writing Mode: Inspired but delayed >;{

Passé Punctuation

Phew--just a quick post! Just finished writing for the day, and I only have 5 minutes left until it's time to goooooo!

Anyway, writing today started off slowly, with me struggling to get through another little transition. Once through, however, I got to write some fun, happy dialog--a rare and refreshing thing in this book! Now Bryn & Mer are talking about Pilot, who is a beautiful mess. I need to write her as even brasher and more confident than I have been...so that when she fails it'll be all the more devastating. Hopefully she's coming across the way I see her in my head...but I have a feeling that this section will require some fairly heavy editing.

Oh well. I got 1,295 words done today, so I feel fairly content :D

Anyway, it's FRIDAY and I'm about to head home. A chill evening ahead...unless I venture back out to Truckeroo. And let's be real: there's an ice cream truck there from a place I have not yet tried. Chances are that I'm going back out.

Oh, and I'm integrating interrobangs into my story. I kind of love them.

Peace out, buttercups!

Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 71,523
Writing Mode: FRIDAYYYYYYYY!!!!!

Working Magic

Sometimes I am very sad that my Hogwarts acceptance letter went astray.

I know that I would have been a good student: I might not have the best memory for incantations, but I certainly know my way around a wand. Also, Pottermore sorted me into Gryffindor, and I feel sure that my prowess both in the classroom and on the Quidditch pitch would have made my house proud.

Yesterday I was feeling particularly down...there must have been a Dementor lurking about, and Lupin wasn't around to offer me chocolate. I was riding my train back into DC, feeling sorry for myself, trawling facebook and wishing I could do some magic.

That's when I ran across a photo my cousin posted.

It was simple, a chalkboard quote from Carl Sagan. It read: "A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic."

:}

That was exactly what I needed to hear. I returned to work, wrote my piece (1,013 words), and then scurried off for a fun evening hanging with my buddy, going out for yummy dinner and then back to my apartment, where I whipped his sorry ass at pool. I kept thinking about the quote today, and it helped spur me on when I wasn't sure where to go, helping to get me over a small hump and to a unremarkable but respectable 1,079 words.

What was truly magical, however, is that I finally broke seventy thousand words.

It's not one of the big landmarks...twenty-five or fifty or a hundred...but it's more than I ever thought possible, and I'm still going strong.

Don't mean to self-aggrandize...but even if this silly story never is read by a single soul, I'm happy that I'm actually getting it down. I've always wanted to write a novel, and just knowing that I'm well on my way makes life worthwhile.

Anyway, I'm off! Time to go home, feed the cat, go for a walk, and maybe watch a little Star Wars or Neverending Story to recharge. Till tomorrow!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 70,225
Writing Mode: At peace

Writing is Freedom

Oh, Contrariwise. How I love thee.

For those who do not know, Contrariwise.org is a site dedicated to literary tattoos. Apart from giving me inspiration for potential tattoos of my own (not yet, I'm still chicken--but someday!) they are very inspiring in general. For example, one person on there had a brilliant tattoo that said: "what makes us happy makes us wise."

What a beautiful sentiment. And, if one has insight and the willingness to learn from one's experiences, probably (mostly) true.

Here's my quote of the day: “Writing is a form of personal freedom. It frees us from the mass identity we see in the making all around us. In the end, writers will write not to be outlaw heroes of some underculture but mainly to save themselves, to survive as individuals.” ~Don Delillo

Anyway, I was on there for all of five minutes and got super inspired. Managed to bang out 1,036 words despite being assigned several tasks from a couple of people here in the office. I'm fairly pleased with that number, and hope I'll be able to top it tomorrow.

I'm sort of cheating at the moment, however: I'm writing about Mer's first flight on the Aureole, and how she meets and befriends my very favorite character, Pilot. Super excited about this whole section. Not only will it clear up a bit about Bryn, and set up Pilot's spectacular fall, but it's just damn fun to write. Lots of pretty descriptions, lots of interesting interactions...and lots of PILOT!

Mer is being a bit mopey at the moment. She (mistakenly) believes that Bryn once had a fling with Pilot, and that he still has feelings for her (boy, I'm liking parentheses right now). Anyway, he and Bard had a fight from which they have just reconciled. Mer, channeling 5th-book Harry Potter, is all angsty about this. This led to my very favorite bit of my writing today:

"Yes, they were all good friends. Bryn was friends with Bard. Bard was friends with Pilot. Pilot was friends with Bryn. They were all loved and in love and unknown and unloved."

Deliciously melodramatic. I'd love to see it up on Contrariwise someday ;}~

Anyway, I guess I'll bugger off for now. I appear to be in the middle of a mild allergic reaction, though I don't think I've been exposed to anything out of the ordinary today. However, I've been scratching my face like crazy, and now itch all over. Even my EYEBALLS itch. Awful. I'm not allergic to almost anything, so I have no idea what it could be. Maybe I got a spider bite or something.

Whatever it is, I'm in misery. Cheerio, mates!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 68,138 (should break 70k this week! Woo, more brackets!)
Writing Mode: HIVEY

Manners Maketh Man

So I've been keeping up with my writing...but sadly neglecting this blog. The trouble is, of course, that I dilly dally in starting my writing (and no longer have the mornings to get into it...troublesome...), get into it midway through the afternoon, and then end up writing until 5 pm on the nose. Then, of course, I bustle off home where I have more than enough housework to keep me busy...plus there's cooking, and tv, and chasing my cat around, and the occasional excursion with friends. Add to this my Art Class and visits to mum, and the blog sort of falls by the wayside.

Thankfully, the same cannot be said for my writing! Over the past few days I've written 1,178, 963, and 527 words, respectively. Yesterday, obviously, was NOT a good writing day. Not just because I was out of it (and having a terrible, terrible monday), but because people kept sluffing off their work on me. Which is fine, I can do it...but it does cut into writing time.

Anyway, hopefully today will be better. I have a coconut chai tea latte to fortify myself, and the promise of a tequilla sunrise cupcake if I do well. If I don't...well, I won't even consider that possibility.

I shall wrap up for now, else I'll never get my 500 (hopefully 1k) done. Cheers!*


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 67,101
Writing Mode: Hopeful


*While we're on the subject...I think that I'm going to be applying for Oxford once more...

RED ALERT! PANTY SHIELDS UP!

My GOD have the past two days been difficult for writing! I got a decent amount done (978 today, 959 yesterday), but DAMN it's been like pulling teeth! Which, speaking of, is gonna happen to one of my coworkers tomorrow...which means no teleworking for me. Le sigh.

Anyway, I think that my hormones have a lot to do with it: it's almost that time of the month. You know...

The crimson tide. The red menace. Red rover, red rover, send Aunt Flow on over.

Ugh. Anyway, not there yet (THANK GOD) but it's nearly that time, and I've been feeling fairly wonky. Makes me easily-distractable...though the lack of caffeine certainly doesn't help. MUST make sure I buy some coffee tomorrow...

Anyway, another issue is that I'm struggling to define exactly how the next few chapters should go...I know where I am now and where I need to end up, but my map of the intervening land is very sketchy. Where's Navi when I need her?

Also, this was another slow transition part. By the time I got through it I actually really enjoyed it--especially the end!--but actually putting it down on paper was a bit...painful. But, like I said, I'm very happy with the end of the chapter in particular...so I figured I'd share it:

***

Mer sat up, rubbing her eyes, then turned to shake Bryn as the car began to slow. He grinned sleepily, pushing Mer away and rolling over. “Get up, you lump!”

Mer shook Bryn again, and he curled into a ball, ignoring her. The car began to slow, and Mer unbuckled, slithering into the back seat. She sat on the rest between the two front seats, and tapped Bryn very gently.

“Bryn, Bard says that we’re here…wherever here is. Come on, it’s time to get up.”

Bryn remained curled, a quill-less hedgehog.

“Bryn, we’ve got to go,” Mer cajoled.

Bryn remained unmoved, though he began to shake. Mer thought for one horrible second that he was crying; then she realized that he was shaking with suppressed laughter. This gave Mer an idea. Grinning evilly, she leaned over Bryn’s convulsing back.

“Bryn, this is your final warning,” she murmured, moving into position. “I’ll give you ‘till the count of three.

One…

Two…

THREE!”

On ‘three’ Mer pounced, shoving her hands beneath Bryn’s arms, tickling for all she was worth. He yelped, uncurling instinctively. Mer was merciless: she knocked his arms aside, going for the soft underbelly. Bryn pushed away, laughing, trying to get out of range.

“No—haha, stop, Mer! Stop! I hate being tickled! Ah, stop, stop! Let me go!”

“Let her go! This isn’t regulation! This isn’t fucking regulation!”

Mer released Bryn with a gasp, the memory hitting her like a tsunami, crashing over her, pulling her down.

“Mer?”

Mer closed her eyes, hugging herself, digging her nails into the flesh of her upper arms. She pushed it down, pushed it all down: the nausea, the fear, the too-recent memory of hands against her skin.

A gentle touch brushed her shoulder. Mer, shadows clearing from her eyes, looked up. Bryn was gazing at her, concern etching across his face.

“Mer, are you ok?”

Mer nodded. “I’m…I’m fine. Just needed to catch my breath.”

Bryn cupped a hand around Mer’s face, one finger resting on her temple as though positioned to siphon out the evil memory.

“Come on,” he said. “Bard’s already halfway across the field, and our next ride is waiting. We’d better get going now that you’re finally awake.”

Bryn winked, reaching across Mer to open her door. She stepped out of the car, Bryn sliding out behind her, bumping into her as she stopped, accosted by what she saw.

Shining and majestic, glittering like Polaris against the dark of the field, was a golden plane.

***

Okay, okay, I'll be honest: I'm not really excited about the writing, or the characterization, or any of that. I'm excited about that final image...and that I will finally be introducing Pilot!!!

Anyway, time to jet...pun intended. I've got to close up shop, run to feed Draco, and then put enough power steering fluid in my car to (hopefully) get me all the way down to Woodbridge and back. Banzai!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 64,419
Writing Mode: Red at night, sailors' delight. Red in morning, sailors take warning. Code red! Eric the Red! What do you call a PMSing Literature major? Well-red.*

*I made this joke up. Steal it, and I will bleed on you.

Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It's Off To Write We Go!

Ah...just finished writing for today. This morning was a total loss, sadly...spent it trawling Monster for my boss. But this afternoon (despite an influx of calls) was fairly productive...managed to scrape out 1,605 words. Not too shabby!

I am at an exciting part of the story. Or, I should say, I am almost at an exciting part of the story. Bryn & Mer just escaped custody in the company of someone who Mer still thinks is an enemy (actually a friend, duh). Anyway, I need to get through a bit of explanation about that, blah blah blah...but then I get to introduce Pilot!

I've talked about Pilot before, so it should be obvious how superjazzed I am to finally get to write her! The story has been feeling a bit stagnant lately, so I think that her character will really liven it up and add the bit of spice that it needs. She's so crazy and wild and carefree...and cowardly, traumatized, and selfish. She'll be super fun to write...especially as the story progresses >;}~

And speaking of crazy and carefree, I'm going to introduce the Occultics within the next five chapters (I think). They're a minority religion in this world, and have a very odd outlook on life. They're mostly on the fringe of society, so they'll be very helpful for our heroes...not least because they'll add a bit of levity to the story...before it takes a turn for the dark and horrible, muahahaha!

I'll also be dealing with the Dissenters, Bryn's gang. Yeah, about them: not as awesome as Bryn thinks. He's with them 100% on their plan for the chip, but differs on a lot of little things. I look forward to writing them, just because I honestly dislike them so much. Should be interesting to explore.

Most excitingly (okay, not more exciting than writing Pilot, but a close second!), I'll be laying the groundwork for a relationship between Bryn & Mer in the following chapters. They had a bit of a romance going, but Mer fouled that up pretty solidly, so we're going to have to start from scratch...yay! It'll take a lot longer this time around, just because both will be a little more wary. Bryn in particular will be hesitant, as the last time he let his guard down around Mer she took advantage of it to steal the chip. So things will be going slowly; fortunately, there's plenty of time for it to happen, as they'll be on foot soon, and then will fall in amongst the Occultics. They're going to be a big help to our heroes, but they won't make things much faster.

Anyway, all in all I'm feeling fairly good! Going to keep plugging away, and hope to reach 65k tomorrow. If I can do that, maybe I'll be able to get to 70 by the end of the week? I think that's a bit ambitious, but here's hoping!

Audi!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 62,456
Writing Mode: Well-paced and well-pleased


P.S. Sometimes I sing the seven dwarves' digging song when I'm pleased with the way my writing is going...only I substitute 'write' for 'dig.' "Write, write, write, write, write, write, write, write; write the whole day through! Write, write, write, write, write, write, write, that's what I like to do!"

Sometime-Sisyphus

So. Friday was a pretty okay day for writing, I guess.

I mean, you know. Kind of all right.

Like, decent.

3,583 words decent!!!

And you know what that means, right? Those of you who are keeping track at home should know that that amount of writing means that I broke sixty-thousand words!!!

So yeah, I'm pretty awesome.

Ok, I know I still have a long way to go. I'm a little more than a quarter of the way through, but that still puts me on the uphill slope. Can't get complacent, gotta keep chugging along! Especially as I'm no longer in the DC office full-time, which means I'll spend half my days commuting back and forth to Maryland, with a little trawling of Monster for my MD boss thrown in. Looks like I might be back down to <1K per day.

In other news, I've been researching writer in residence fellowships like CRAZY. There are a bunch I'm going to apply for, so hopefully someday someone will help support this mad endeavour.

We'll see, I suppose. Tried to find some in London but haven't had much luck...yet. If anyone out there knows of any, please share!

Cheers, mates ;}~


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 60,851
Writing Mode: Stalled due to actual work

Shouldn't Have Skipped My Coffee...

Not gonna lie, I'm having a bit of trouble with today's writing. The last few days have been phenomenal...but now I'm coming off a very rough bit of writing, and somehow have to transition from that to a serious conversation...from affection and trust to bitterness and recriminations. Blah. And then I have to engineer a daring escape!

Haven't been posting much because I've been writing right up until the very last second (and sometimes beyond) before I have to leave wherever I am. That I'm blogging now shows how much trouble I'm having today. Oh, I've already met my 500 words (593 and counting)...I'm just having trouble getting through this bit. Also, I'm a bit concerned about the part I just wrote. It's very dark. I mean like Christian Bale's Batman during a power outage on an eclipse dark. Worrisome...

Oh well. I have four hours to figure it out. Then I have to go home, change, feed the cat...and get ready to go see Muppet Treasure Island in the park!

Ok, gonna go back to the grind. I just need to push on...once I'm over the hump the writing should be easy and fun again. Here's hoping!

Later, gators!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 56,205
Writing Mode: Painfully plodding

Today Would Be A Good Day To Write

Today was a very quiet day at work. Today, not many people bothered me, and I didn't have much to do.

Today, I wrote 3,717 words.

And, I BROKE 50k!!!

So yes, today has been a good day to write.

Things have obviously progressed quite a lot since yesterday. Mer got to the car, tried to escape, was caught, and half-convinced herself that Bryn was gonna off her. Which, considering that she (unknowingly) put the lives of several billion people at risk...is actually kinda fair. But he didn't kill her, so there it is.

Anyway, Bryn & Mer set out on a long roadtrip to the meeting point, which is still a mystery to Mer. They talk a bit about music, but mainly sit in awkward silence. That's about to end, however, as they're going to be captured in a hot second.

So...yesterday I said that I might post some notes. I've been thinking about doing this for a while, but never did...they're very rough (they are notes, after all), and they might just confuse you. Anyway, I figured I would start you guys out with something easy and not too controversial: entertainment. Television, specifically. TV is not a huge part of this book, but it does have a very small and very important cameo, and I wanted to have it really fairly well thought out. Here, then, is my rough sketch (which I've since developed) of some of the TV shows and stations in Bryn & Mer's terrifying world.

Reality TV shows:

Realispree
Most famous is called Realispree. It is “a next-generation reality show” where a group of people is put in an extreme situation. They can band together or work alone. Anyone who is severely injured and cannot continue is removed from the competition. Often people die. Sometimes one person breaks away from the group and snipes them all in an attempt to be the only winner, and often people band together only to turn on each other in the end. Whomever makes it out alive and under their own power is then given a large cash reward…but if more than one person makes it, the reward is split by all of the survivors. The current season ends with two people making it to the top, only for one to stab the other, getting behind them as they clutch their stomach, and slitting their throat while smiling for the cameras. This person wins the entire award, and is a feature on news shows for weeks to come. “Realispree: the next-generation reality show where your survival spree might lead to a slaughter spree, and the winner is set with a spending spree for life!”

This year’s competiton, the 53rd annual, takes place in Yellowstone Park. They began their journey in the forest, but the end is in the midst of a geyser field. This is where K will die.

Competition Choir
An American Idol or The Voice ripoff. Features a choir of aspiring singers, each wanting a solo career. Instead of singing together, the singers attempt to outshine each other, and thus the “choir” sounds better as more people are kicked off. Singers routinely get each other kicked off through dubious means: poisoning, acid to ruin the vocal chords, fiddling with the pitch on the auto-tune, etc. Metaphor for society’s lack of community and cooperation, and the failure to organize. Apathy.

Teen Tweakers
Follows 12 teens (aged 12-18) who abuse everything from household cleaners to PCP, and everything in-between. They’re real people, but it’s still marketed like a sitcom: “watch tonight as all the teen tweakers are pushed to the limit! Because tonight one teen tweaker won’t make it out alive…”

Pregnant at Prom
Features a lot of bathroom/dumpster babies, and “redemptive” pre- or post-prom runs to drop the infants off at churches.

Meet the Neighbors
Exposes the “dangerous” people living next to totally “normal” people. Villified groups include LGBT, cross-dressers, atheists, “radical” dissenters who do not agree 100% with the govt, members of minority religions (“cults”), vegetarians, swingers, etc.

How to Spend Your Paycheck (Hit-Sip)
Mani-pedis, purses, shopping sprees, maybe tie this in with Realispree, where the winners of Realispree are sometimes guest judges on HtSYP. When referred to in speech, sounds like Hit-Sip.

Tetrathalon: Death Match
Show featuring bunch of different sports, all super violent, steroids encouraged, often leads to death of participants.


TV Channels:

FDNN
Federal Democratic News Network
Anchors:
Emory Cornelius Hays (Anderson Cooper) Emory for his father, Cornelius for his great-great-great grandfather, Hays for his middle name.
Walter Washington Douglas (Brian Williams) Walter for walter Cronkite, washington for GWU (last school he dropped out of, honorary degree), Douglas for his middle name

FRNN
Federal Republican News Network

MTV
Mormontology Television

TCBS
The Christianic Broadcast Station

JIN
The Judeo-Islamist Network

RLTV
Real Life Television

Anyway, that's it! 'Till tomorrow!

Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 50,607
Writing Mode: Cold feet (no, seriously, my toes are so cold that I can barely focus!). Also, worried about timeline issues...

Choose What To Believe

Things in WritingWorld are still going well! Yesterday I wrote 1,963 words, finally making it to a very interesting part of the story...the part where Mer betrays Bryn.

It. Was. AWESOME.

See, I shouldn't be allowed to write...at least not about good characters. I enjoy toying with them too much. Anyway, long story short, Mer's priorities are all mixed up, she doesn't know what to believe, and she'd be willing to do almost anything to save her own skin. As a result, she steals the chip (which, if I haven't mentioned it before, is what Bryn stole from the government in the first place, and the item around which the entire story is centered). She gets it away from Bryn--poor, unsuspecting Bryn--by kissing him, therefore tricking him into thinking she's beginning to have feelings for him.

Dark and harsh. It was super fun to write: Mer was feeling guilty, not sure if she was doing the right thing, Bryn was just being Bryn, and Mer also started trying to sort out the feelings she is just beginning to develop.

What I'm having difficulty with is the next bit. Mer has just escaped the house and is going to try to steal the car; which she will fail to do. The car is going to have one of those little switches installed that make it impossible to turn on unless you know to flip the switch. Mer, of course, will not, and Bryn will catch her. What's giving me trouble is where the two will go from there.

Bryn has (unbeknownst to Mer) received orders to contain her in the cabin, where she would be picked up by a clean-up team and taken to a small but unpleasant detainment center set up by Bryn's associates. He made the decision not to take her there, but to keep her with him instead, thus sparing her from that nasty experience.

Also, in the near future, Bryn & Mer will be captured for the first time, which is an essential but brief part of the story.

Originally, I planned for Mer's escape effort to be what got them caught. Now, however, I think I'm going to have Bryn find her before she figures out how to start the car...because honestly, if she escapes how will he ever find her?

So, here is my quandary. Does Mer attempt to escape again? Does Bryn tell her about his associates' intentions, or (as I originally planned) do I leave that to be revealed later on?

What I'm thinking is that Bryn will catch Mer, have his trust in her shattered, but still determine to take her with him. He won't explain, and they'll set off on a silent and unpleasant road trip to the meeting point. At some point they'll stop in a rest station, and Mer will see a cop. She'll go up to the cop and reveal what she believes to be the truth. They'll be arrested, their pursuers will be called in, and they'll be taken away. Then Bard and Pilot will help them escape, and they'll be taken to the rebels' HQ. There Jules will reveal her original plan for Mer, and how Bryn inexplicably disobeyed her. I think that's the best way to set up for their second capture, which leads to the climax of the book and sets up the ending.

Anyway, must wrap up, as my mum is on her way home and I've still not managed to feed myself. Lots more is going to happen in the book, of course...this is all just a very rough outline.

I ought to post some of my notes...I must have thirty pages' worth! It's getting a bit out of control.

That's a task for another time, however. Audi, mes peuples!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 46,889 (woo, broke 45k!)
Writing Mode: Pondering. Hmm...

Work Is For The Desperate Who Wish They Were Free

So I thought that work was going to be bad for my writing...boy, was I wrong!

Okay, the first two days of the week were rough...just barely scratching out my 500 words, slugging it all the way up to Largo (yuck, Largo) in the morning, sitting in front of a blank computer all afternoon (I couldn't log in until I was given a username and password...and the IT guy didn't get around to it until yesterday). But yesterday and today I spent all day down here in DC, and I had very quiet afternoons where, when I wasn't dealing with calls, I could just sit and write. As a result, I wrote 1,854 words yesterday and 1,716 today, for a total of 44,917!!!

Wahooooo!

The most diverting part of all of this is Mer's budding relationship with Bryn. Each is developing feelings for the other, but while he's going to disobey his superiors to help Mer, she's going to betray him in a misguided attempt to serve her country.

In fact, I think her betrayal is what will get them captured for the first time, which allows me to introduce two more major characters: Bard, their inside man, and my personal favorite, the traumatized, cowardly, fascinating Pilot.

It occurred to me the other day that some of what I'm writing is rather...incendiary. It's certainly not as PC as it could be. Maybe that'll come in editing...but I hope not. I want to be controversial if I possibly can.

Probably it's as rousing as a glass of warm milk, but a girl can dream!

One weird thing: I can't believe how much fun I'm having writing this! It's all I think about, all I seem to want to do. I was in training this morning and had to keep reminding myself to focus: every few minutes my mind wandered back to the story. Who are Bryn & Mer? How would they react in X situation? What is going to happen next?

If I could do this for a living, I'd be the happiest girl in the world. As it is, my favorite thing about my job is the quiet afternoons that give me time to write. I'm sure they'll be gone soon enough--everyone's been saying that July's a notoriously slow month--but for now they're proving invaluable.

Anyway, I've got to feed the cat, take a shower, cook dinner, and eat...all before 8pm. Can I do it? WE SHALL SEE.

Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum

Word Count: 44,917

Writing Mode: Surprisingly productive...and unwilling to stop!

P.S. I was able to work a code I made up in middle school, wrote in all through high school, and perfected in college into my story! Used it for a rather important email...super jazzed about that! The reader doesn't have to break it, of course: Bryn explains what the email says. You have to trust that he's telling the truth, however. Mer doesn't believe that he is. Spoiler alert: he's not.

You Rush A Miracle Man, You Get Rotten Miracles

Wow. Super, super, SUPER productive day today!!! I've had a hard time getting into a schedule this week (mostly b/c I've had to go somewhere first thing every morning, then not been back home until late at night). I only wrote 348 words on Wednesday, then didn't get ANY done yesterday. I can't tell you how awful that felt...not getting anything done? After being so good for so long? It was torture.

Today, however, I had the afternoon free. I set up camp at my mum's, and just wrote. I got through some tricky parts, wrote an emotional scene for Mer, and even gave her and Bryn their first (mini) fight! I'm at an amazing part now: Mer is beginning to doubt the things she's always taken for granted, and is pursing a course which she isn't sure is right (hint: it's not). Soon I'll get to write about how she betrays Bryn (oh, oops...spoiler alert!), and what this'll do to her. And, just as importantly, to him. It's going to be a mess to write, and I'm kind of jazzed about it. Plus they're going to discuss (read: fight) about how she nearly killed him in the very beginning, and will be put into a really terrible situation where they are cornered and nearly killed...which'll start them on the path to reconciliation.

Phew...that sounds really super awful when I write it out in that way. I promise it'll be better when I write it for real.

Anyway, I set out to make up for the past two days, as well as to finish off today's 500 words. Shockingly I managed to do all of that...and then some.

Today, I wrote a phenomenal (if I do say so myself) 2,960 words.

...

2,960 words.

...

HUZZAH!!!

I met my goal long before I got to 2,960, but then I realized that I was just shy of a pretty awesome number, so I pushed myself to keep going until I got there. It is with great pride, then, that I announce that I have broken forty-thousand words: or, in other words, I am one-fifth of the way there!

Okay, that might not seem like a lot, but it's a huge deal to me. And in another 10,000 words I'll be a quarter done. For someone who didn't think they could write over twenty pages, that's incredible.

Okay, okay, enough self-aggrandizement. I've missed dinner, so it's time I go down and hang with my mum. Until next time!


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 40,522
Writing Mode: INCONCEIVABLE!!!*

*You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means...

It Feels Great To Urinate

If I write 1,000 more words today I'll break 40k. Can I do it???

Stay tuned to find out! But first: MUST PEE.


Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum
Word Count: 38,984
Writing Mode: Driven to STOP SLACKING

Kitty Love

Bah, migraine! Not adjusting well to life back in DC. Anyway, at least I'm keeping up with my five hundred per day! Today I dashed out 1,006 words, and finally broke 37k!

Anyway, I've apparently exhausted my ability to migraine-write, so audi for now!

Working Title: Bryn & Mer: Nosce Te Ipsum

Word Count: 37,120

Writing Mode: Throbacious. That's a word, right?

P.S. Brought Draco back home today. He's being super sweet...guess he's back in the honeymoon period. We'll see how he does once Lily's back...

Right now, though, he's sprawled in my lap. Adorableness ;}