A New Kind of Fiction Writing

A New Kind of Fiction Writing

I have been a little quiet the last couple of weeks as far as writing and my latest writing project. I will continue to be so until next week. But, I will support this.

I am doing a new kind of fiction writing. I used to be a panther and used to type things up as I go.

How many novels do I have published using this approach? One.
One in four years, I might add.
Do you know know how many I've written cover to cover, but haven't published? About twenty.
Do you know how many I have written to about the halfway mark? About one hundred.
Do you know how many I got to the one-third mark? Hundreds.
Do you know how many genres I've tried? All of them.

See the problem?
I do not finish.

I have the commitment, but I tend to write myself in a corner I have no idea how to get myself out of or through. Consequently, I've decided to change how I write entirely.
I have decided to do some book planning for a couple of days. But, I am using a steno pad and a PaperMate Flair in blue and black ink as I plan. (Check. Done.)
Then, I outlined the total book, spiral pad, marker pens. Check. Done.
Now, I'm writing the rough draft on write-up pads with marker pens.  It will take 11 spiral pads for each book, let me add, and I have no idea how many marker pens.

Also, I'm only allowing myself to write 1,500 words per day. No more.
If I have any time left, I use it to study my writing craft more through reading novels and studying them and evaluating them.

So far, I've gotten more done than I have in five years and I think it's the best idea and most solid of writing I've ever done.

I'll keep you updated. It's exciting.

Also, I'm doing Camp NaNoWriMo with this novel, which starts July 1st.

Camp NaNoWriMo and My Spiritual Memoir

In July, I'm taking part of Camp NaNoWriMo (Camp National Novel Writing Month), where people around get together and write a book in 30 days. Yes. A book. They write part of a book or an entire book during that space of time.

I try to take part in Camp NaNoWriMo and NaNoWriMo every year during the months in which I can participate: April, July, November.

This year, I plan on working on my spiritual memoir.

You can find my spiritual memoir and view my progress here--starting July 01, 2014. So, stay tuned.

(NOTE: Click on the bold words above and in this post to go to those links.)

Writing Status

Day 1 of writing was June 01, 2014.

Writing goal per day is 3,637 words per day, 7 days per week.

Total word count goal is 200,000 words or so.

As of right now, I have 8,751 of 11,803 words due today of 200,000 total words.

Writing Marathon, Camp NaNoWriMo, and a New Epic Fantasy Series

Writing Marathon
I've started, as of yesterday a writing marathon, where it's my goal to write at least 3,500 words per day June 01 to July 24, 2014. That's 55 days of writing like a madwoman, as I've coined this crazy adventure.

Camp NaNoWriMo
Also, it's my plan in July to join Camp NaNoWriMo from July 01 to July 23, for I will then be on vacation for almost three weeks. Camp NaNoWriMo is Camp (like what you do with a tent, fire, smores, ghost stories, gazing at the stars kind of thing. Camp National Novel Writing Month where crazy people like me camp out and write a novel for a solid month and forget about everything else--housework, cooking, socializing, you name it. We write a novel. Period. End of story. (Or, at least we try.)

A New Epic Fantasy Series: A WITCH'S DIARY
Yesterday, I started to write a new inspirational epic fantasy series. Over the next 55 days, I'm going to try to write book 1 of this series. (Please, Lord!)

Also, don't judge the book by it's title or the series name (or cover for that matter). It's meant to be a tease or hook and grab attention.

Christians: It's not what you think. Stay tuned. More information to come. It's about the dangers of turning to other religions when we don't even realize that is what we're doing.

Non-Christians: This is series talks aobut all of the major world religions, along with several races, and whether it's possible to develop peace among the different religions or spiritualities, races, nations.

~**~

(Top image credit: Microsoft images online 2009-2014.)

(Bottom 2 Images Credit for Book Cover:
The largest picture of a building, arch, water, and bridge: Image courtesy of sattva / FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
The old book in the bottom left corner: Image courtesy of dan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

Updated June 02, 2014 855 a.m. 

NaNoWriMo Day 6 News and A Revolutionary Change of Perpsective

NEWS

I am sorry for being a stranger on this blog since NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) began on 01 November. I've been writing as much as I can, as fast as I can.

As of this moment, I am sitting at 11,071 words of 50,000 for the NaNoWriMo goal. (My personal goal is more than that.) Yay!

I changed the title of the book one more time. But, this is it. I finally found the perfect title:

THE STORYKEEPER OF ROANOKE

THE FAMILY TREEZ OF THE USA SERIES, BOOK #1. 

A REVOLUTIONARY IDEA:

THROW OUT THE WORD COUNT IDEA

On Saturday, 03 November 2012, I about had a meltdown. The word count was not what I thought it should be. Sure, I met the NaNoWriMo count of 1667 words--no problem. But, I wanted triple that. I wanted to really push myself. I... I-I-I. Me-me-me. Me, myself, and I.

Do you see the problem?

I realized that I became the center of my focus--not the book.

Whoa. This stopped me in my tracks. I realized how:

~ The goal was the center--not the book.

~ A checklist became what was important, not the process of writing. 

This is WRONG. 

I fell into the trap.

I have stopped looking at word count. 

I have a good sense as to how much I am writing--or not writing. I can tell you if it's been a yucky day or a good day. But, the driving force should be the story--not the word count.

I think this new mindset, point-of-view, and perspective have changed my writing life entirely. 

I am actually getting more writing done than before because I have the proper attitude and perspective of the story -not the word count. It takes the stress off. There are great days and bad days with writing. But, they average out to at least a good day over the long-run. There's nothing wrong with that.

Why do I write? It's to tell a story. Period.

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Storykeeper of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

NaNoWriMo Day 6: NaNoWriMo Write-A-Thon Election Challenge

In a previous blog post this morning, I issued a writing challenge for whoever wants to join me. With how important this election is, I am going to stay up as long as it takes, even if it's all night, to hear who is declared the next or remaining President of the United States of America.

Why? I am not nuts. I am that passionate about this election. It's the most important election of my lifetime--and might be the most important one of my entire life. 

So, why not use the time to the maximum benefit? As the news plays in the background, I am going to see how much writing I can do on my NaNoWriMo book.

Do you want to join me?

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Storykeeper of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

06-07 November 2012: Two Big days in American and NaNoWriMo History

Today and tomorrow are two gigantic and important dates in the history of the United States of America.

Make sure to vote!

A NANOWRIMO WRITE-A-THON CHALLENGE

This vote is so critical that I am going to stay up as long as possible--even if I pull an all-nighter--until the President is declared. Hence, I am turning it into a NaNoWriMo Write-A-Thon. As I stay glued to the news  I am going to write and see how many words I can get pumped out for my book. 

Care to join me?

(Image Credit of 1st two images: Microsoft Images Online.) 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Chronicler of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Day 1 of NaNoWriMo: Whew! Crisis Averted

Today is the 1st day of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) and I almost had a crisis on my hands. (I blogged about it yesterday.) 

I--almost--ran--out--of--coffee!!! 

This is enough to bring panic. 

Well, I went to the store this morning and was able to avert the crisis. Whew. I also grabbed a few more things that I really didn't need, mind you. Sigh. But, I am going to have a really good lunch. It's in the oven as we speak. 

Now, I need to get busy writing again.

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Chronicler of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

NaNoWriMo Day 1 Tips

I recommend writing as fast as you can and as much as you can in 15 minute chunks. (I average 500 words when I do this--to help give you an example of word count.)

15 minute writing chunks are the key. Anyone can focus for 15 minutes. It isn't too much and decreases the chances are you'll get sidetracked or distracted. 

30 minute chunks tend to be too long (for the reasons I just mentioned).

Then,a t the end of the 15 minute chunk, get up. Walk around. Move. Do something else for a couple of minutes. Drink a glass of water ( This is not just a suggestion. It helps.). Grab a snack and/or some coffee or tea. Then, go sit back down. Check email, write a blog post, or whatever--for 5-15 minutes (depending on how much time you have to write today). Then, get back at it. Do another 15 minute chunk. Do this until you have reached your word count goal of the day.

This is an approach I have employed for years and it works brilliantly. Give it a try. 

I also recommend this with any time you do writing, even if it isn't NaNoWriMo. It works really well. 

Stacy Duplease

Thriller Historical Fiction Writer
The Chronicler of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

How NOT to start NaNoWriMo

Oh, no!!! (Do you hear the panic in my voice?)

I just went to the kitchen to make more coffee. I'm almost out! (I NEVER run out of coffee. Never.) This is a BAD thing normally. With starting NaNoWriMo tomorrow, it's really, really bad. 

I guess I will be getting some more later tonight or tomorrow.

Coffee= happiness and serenity.

No coffee = Weirdness

Note to self for next year: Check coffee situation one week before NaNoWriMo starts. Have enough on hand for entire month of November.

And yes, I tend to be overly dramatic at times.

(Image credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Chronicler of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

NaNoWriMo Starts Tomorrow

National Novel Writing Month, NaNoWriMo or NaNo, starts tomorrow. I am participating again and have since 2009. So, this is my 4th year.

I am a pantser, meaning I do not outline. I like to fly by the seat of my pants as I write. I've tried outlining and planning, but my ideas get stifled. I have a general idea as to where I am going, that way I do not get too off course, but that's it. I love the writing process and seeing where I am led by my muse (God). 

I, also, enjoy pushing myself--and NaNoWriMo sure does that! This year, my daily writing goal (Monday-Friday, excluding Thanksgiving and the day after) is 4,500 per day. 

The book I am writing is: 

THE CHRONICLER OF ROANOKE: 

THE FAMILY TREEZ OF THE USA SERIES, BOOK #1

I am using the program: Yarny to write this novel. (See http://yarny.me) 

ADVICE TO ANYONE TRYING NANOWRIMO

Cut yourself grace. NaNoWriMo is meant to push you with your writing. But, that does not mean you need to stress yourself out. 

Do NOT doubt. Have faith in yourself. You CAN do this. (Repeat that as often as necessary.)

NaNoWriMo is meant to be fun. So, make it fun. Make it memorable.

Experiment. Try something new.

Do not forget your other priorities as you write. Make sure you still spend time with God, family, and job. Do not lose the month of November with making memories. Your priorities are far more important than NaNoWriMo. (This also helps keep NaNoWriMo stress and anxiety lowered.)

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Chronicler of Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

NaNoWriMo: Two Days and Counting!

http://hoosierink.blogspot.com/2012/10/nanowrimo-two-days-and-counting.html
Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

NaNoWriMo, Preparation, and Life Goals

NaNoWriMo is in 6 Days

I cannot believe that National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo or NaNo for short) kicks off in six days. It seems like just yesterday I was counting down for NaNo 2011. My...how time flies. 

Preparation Before Today

I am ready for NaNoWriMo. I realize I can always be more prepared. Therefore, I am not stressed about NaNo and writing 50,000 words in 30 days. Then again  it might have something to do with the fact that I write 3,000 words per day at the moment. I've spend the last couple of months preparing myself to do this. That way, when NaNo is here, and I only have to write 1,667 words per day, it will seem easy. (But, my goal is still 3,000 words per day--Monday through Friday--minus two days for Thanksgiving--and hopefully none for Hurricane Sandy.)

What NaNoWriMo Teaches About Life Goals (or Dream)

NaNoWriMo teaches a great deal about achieving life goals. Hence, the effects of NaNo in my life are far-reaching.

NaNoWriMo--writing a novel in a month is a goal. Right?

Writing a novel, as a goal, is no easy task--let alone in 30 days! Hence, it is not something that just anyone can do. It takes a passion, steadfastness or determination, courage, faith, and a lot of hard, intentional work. 

For every goal, we need a plan. We need to set up things to do or steps to accomplish along the way as we meet our goal. These steps need to be measurable  where we know it is a step we have done and is leading toward the fulfillment of stated goal.  And, we need to put those steps on our calendars. Every day, week, month, and quarter, we need to look and see how our fulfillment of the steps have come along, and if we might need to add more steps or delete some steps along the way. I also recommend journaling through each step along the journey of goal fulfillment. Then, one day, we will achieve victory--where we have achieved our goal--where our dream is realized.

NaNo has shown me how I CAN make my dreams and goals come true. Period. The only way it does not happen is determined by me. I can tell myself how tough it is, and how I cannot do it, but to what good does this serve? How does this attitude help? How will this make my dream or goal come true? 

Rather, I tell myself over and over and over-- I CAN do this! 

I make sure to set up enough action steps that I will be able to make this goal and dream come true. It's when I make the action steps too large that it makes it difficult for me to make my goal come true. Let me explain. If I set my goal to write 210,000 words in 30 days, that would be difficult at best. If I were to say I needed to write 10,000 words per day, it would also be difficult. However, I have had many days when I have done precisely that. I realize I need to LIVE as I accomplish my dream and goal. I do not want to only do my goal steps. I still need to eat, clean, shower, spend time with my husband, etc. So, I make sure to set smaller action steps I can accomplish. For instance, if I never have written before, or never done NaNo before, I would keep the 1,667 word count goal and do no more. 

Also, when achieving goals, and taking action steps, I understand some steps will take longer than I anticipated. There will be off days. Some days, I might only be able to write 500 words. But, the next day, I might be able to write 3000 rather than a 1667 day. I cut myself grace and not stress.

When going after a goal and dream:

~ It is critical I work hard. 

~ It is important for me to stay focused and keep my mind focused on the task at hand.

~ I must have courage.

~ I need to keep balance and not neglect everything else that is a priority in my life (God, Bible study, Husband, House, Critters, Family, Friends, Eating Right, Sleep, Exercise Etc.) 

~ I must keep trying. 

~ I need to cut myself grace when things do not go as well as I hoped. 

~ I must never, ever give up. 

ANYONE CAN DO NANOWRIMO

It just takes a commitment and lots of trying. It really is that simple. 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Chronicler and Roanoke: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book #1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

7 days til NaNoWriMo

Yesterday was my first day back from vacation and it was a day plagued with everything that could go wrong, did moments. Never mind feeling a heaviness for those in my life who are hurting. But, I persevered and even made it through my hundreds of emails waiting for my attention. The day ended well enough. Whew.

Today has been quite productive and I am even meeting my husband for lunch. I am glad I can take the time since I got a great deal of writing done already. I sit at the diner and peck this out as I wait.

I am glad to be ahead today so I can turn again to NaNoWriMo preparation. I glanced at the calendar and was shocked when I saw NaNo starts in one week. 7 days. Yikes! 

The very thought makes me feel nervous and excited at once. 

The truth of the matter is I LOVE NANOWRIMO. It is almost an addiction.

Writing 50,000 words in a month is quite the challenge. And I love pushing myself to see what I am able to accomplish.

7 days!

-- Stacy Duplease
Writer
Sent from my cell.

NaNoWriMo is in 28 days: Writing Tips and Hints

NaNoWriMo is in 28 days.

Re-read that first sentence one more time.

Do you feel your heart race? I know I sure do. Is it nerves, excitement, fear of failure, or (YES!) all of the above? 

I ask again. Have you written 1667 words today? This is the first step to preparing for NaNoWriMo. You might as well get in the habit now. 

A writing tip I want to share with you is this:

DO NOT EDIT.

Allow massive amounts of typo's and spelling errors. Do not use spell check until you reach your goal. Then, do it all at once and use the "change all" option to save yourself time. The chances are if you repeat a typo and repeat the same word, you will repeat the typo. "Change all" will save you time in the end. 

Another writing tip:

Do you hit the delete key to go back and fix something and re-type what you just wrote. Instead, keep typing. You can fix it later. 

Start getting in these habits today--and it will help you with NaNoWriMo. 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

Roanoke 1584-1590: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book 1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

NaNoWriMo Practice

NaNoWriMo Writers,

For those who do not write 1667 words per day on a normal basis, have you been practicing and doing precisely that? If you start to establish the habit now, NaNoWriMo will be a great deal easier and more enjoyable for you.

Just a thought.

I talked about this in an earlier blog post. How is this practice going for you? 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

Roanoke 1584-1590: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book 1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

NaNoWriMo Preparation and Peptalk

NaNoWriMo Writers,

How is everyone's preparation going? Is this a first for you and something you've always wanted to do? Are you starting a new novel? Or are you adding word count to a novel you are already writing? 

I've participated in NaNoWriMo three years before now and look forward to this year. I'm writing in a new genre to me and am looking forward to see what adding 50,000 words to my current writing project will bring me this year. 

There is nothing like writing at mach-10, with my hair on fire, not carinnngggg (Oops. I mean--caring) about editing. It's magical. It's definitely an adventure. I think NaNoWriMo separates those serious about their writing and those who are too serious. If we cannot have fun writing, why write? If we are too busy trying to do everything perfect, it makes our writing a labor and not really worth doing. 

Here is a hint for any newbies in NaNoWriMo. I do not have much of a plan at all. I have a minor outline of half a page for my entire book, which will be 210,000 words when I am finished. So, I am a pantser, but know where I need to go. The rest is--allowing the muse (or God) to lead me wherever it takes me--as long as it fits in the outline. I don't have to come to NaNoWriMo with a plan--other than 1667 words per day for November 2012. I can allow my muse to make one for me. And, I refuse to stress. How does that help?

It's the editing that will make the novel great.

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

Roanoke 1584-1590: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book 1

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Where to find me for NaNoWriMo

You can track my progress at this link during the month of November:

http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

Roanoke 1584-1590: The Family Treez of the USA Series, Book 1

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

NaNoWriMo: http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/participants/familytreezetc

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

NaNoWriMo 2012 Participant

For the month of November 2012, I am joining people all across the world to:

Write a novel of 50,000 words

In 30 days.

Actually, in my case, I will be adding 50,000 words to the book I am already writing. So, that means, I will keep 2 files of my book: ROANOKE 1584-1590: THE FAMILY TREEZ OF THE USA SERIES, BOOK 1.

~ I will keep one file of my entire book.

~ I will keep 1 file of just what I write in November 2012. 

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Family Treez of the USA Series

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction

NaNoWriMo Preparation

Writers,

Have you decided if you are going to participate in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month aka NaNo) this year? If so, grab your writing notebook and/or journal and answer the following questions:

~ What book of fiction, 50,000 words, are you going to write?

~ What genre?

~ Do you have all of November marked off your calendar so you can fulfill this dream/goal? 

~ Write a 1-sentence summary of your book.

~ Write a 2-sentence summary of your book.

~ Write a 3-sentence summary of your book.

~ Write a 4-sentence summary of your book.

~ Write a paragraph summary of your book.

~ Write a 2-paragraph summary of your book.

~ Write a 2-paragraph summary of your book.

~ Write a 1-page summary of your book.

~ Write a 2-page summary of your book.

~ Write a 3-page summary of your book.

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

The Family Treez of the USA Series

dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Family Treez USA

Family Treez Blog and Website: http://familytreezusa.blogspot.com

Email: familytreezusa@gmail.com

Bookstore: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/hisfiction