My Writing Space, The Progress of Book 1, and a 56 Day Writing Marathon

MY WRITING SPACE
Recently, my husband and I ought new furniture for my study/office, where I sped all day doing Bible study and writing. I was in desperate need for some organization and smaller furniture to take up less space in the room, but still be functional. So, Ikea came to the rescue and fulfilled both of those requirements. (This is only part of my work space. I will share more photos later, by the way.)

MY WRITING PROGRESS OF BOOK 1
I still have no idea of a title for Book 1 of Land of Risina Series. Then again, the idea is so new I'm not surprised. I've started to do some of an outline, some planning, and some writing and have 23 pages, 3,496 words so far.

56 DAYS OF A WRITING MARATHON
Starting Saturday, I'm am going on a writing marathon, where I plan on writing at least 3,000 words per day for 56 days, for a total of 168,000 words minimum. Usually, I write about 2,000 words per day.

Also, I plan on writing at least twelve hours a day. So, I may get a great deal more written than I anticipate. We shall see.

EXERCISE 
Also, during those 56 days, I plan on increasing my workout. I am a runner, something I took up just a couple of years ago, after over three decades of only running in order to avoid getting hit by upcoming traffic or if I didn't want to get drenched by rain. Once a week, I run a 10k, but it hasn't been consistent. I do it once to twice a month. I would like to run more than that. Moreover, my minimum run is a 5k and I want to increase that to five miles a day, three days a week and 10 or more miles once a week. Ideally, my long run will be a half marathon, then a marathon. But, I need to get serious about working up to those distances. So, I plan on doing this the next 60 days or so--in order to establish a habit. From there, I will continue it and try to keep increasing my distance.

WRITING IS A SOLITARY ACTIVITY
As a writer, it's easy to get lazy and not keep in shape like we should. That's why I am adding to my writing marathon more physical running. It's my desire to lose weight and get in better shape than I've been in a long time, if not ever.

As a writer, it's essential to have a balanced life. The next 56 days will be part of that. I will also be doing two to three Bible studies at that time as well.

Now, back to writing.

(Top Image Credit: Stacy Duplease 2014. Middle and Bottom Image Credit: Microsoft images online 2009-2014.)

Writing How-To:

CAMP NANOWRIMO

I have started to work on my CAMP NANOWRIMO book early. What I'm going to do is whatever my final word count is on March 31, 2014 and I will add 50,000 and I will change my writing count goal at that point on my CAMP NANOWRIMO page at that time.
So, I'm not cheating!
I just know this book will be more than 50,00 words, so I can get started now. (And, I'm not cheating!)

My daily word count goal is 2,300 Monday through Friday.

Today is the first day of my writing this book and I've met the first word count goal and have 2,300 words written. Now, whatever I write in addition today, it's my goal to add 2,300 to that total for tomorrow, and so on. This will give me the opportunity to get used to the April word count goal and rate. I will know how hard I need to write in order to accomplish this goal by the time April arrives.

CAMP NANOWRIMO CONFESSIONS

I've tried to participate in Camp NanoWriMo and NaNoWriMo several years in a row, and since 2009, but have only won twice. Needless to say, I'm trying to break the cycle this time around.

Rest, Review, and Journaling: A journaling exercise or prompt

How do you plan on resting this weekend?

What do you want to journal this weekend? 

How is 2013 so far?

how is your journaling in 2013 so far?

How is your writing in 2013?

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author

* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir

* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

Daily Word Count Goals: A Tip and a Tracking System

I want to share this new Daily Word Count Goal Tracking System with the writers who read this blog. But, it would also work for journalkeepers to track if your journal each day--and if you want to do a minimum word count goal daily. 

I am always looking to streamline how I do things--regarding my writing and journaling. This includes how I keep track of my word count goals. Consequently, two weeks ago, I started a new system and it is one I like the most so far and, when I can write and am not trying to avoid getting really sick, I've found that I really like this new system and it inspires me. 

Now, you need to know that I started to write one version of my memoir and decided on a new angle, so I started to write the book over from the new angle. Therefore  I had to start all over with my word count goals. I still want to accomplish 1,000 words per day Monday-Friday of writing in 2013. Therefore  as of today, I have 14,000 words due that I need to write. I have 5,000. I am 9,000 words short, needless to day. And, it took me less than a minute to figure that all out because of my new word count goal tracking system. 

So, what is this new tracking system? 

I printed out on one page a 2013 calendar. At the top, I wrote, "Due: 1,000 words per day, Monday-Friday." Then, I wrote: "/ shows 1,000 words are due." Then, "X shows that 1,000 words were written. Meaning, I hand-write in a color ink one half of an "x" on the date that 1,000 words are due. I finish the X with another color of ink to designate that I got that word count goal done. 

Therefore, when I look at my calendar this morning, I can easily see that I have 9 days of writing I need to get done to get caught up. 

It's the easiest system I've found since I devoted myself to writing daily, Monday-Friday (at least) 11 years ago. I usually get about 1,000 words extra done on Saturday and Sunday as well, but I give myself two days a week to rest and if I get anything done, great. It's a bonus.  

I am sharing this with you because it is so easy and I cannot wait to watch as the days get more X's on it throughout the year. 

~ Stacy Duplease

Journalkeeper & Writer

My New Writing Space and Desk

I am so excited! I finally have my new desk set-up exactly the way I want it (thanks to my husband). The desk, printer tray/shelf, and monitor stands are new and all my favorite inspirational knick-knacks are on my desk as well. And, there's still plenty of room for cat to explore, walk all over, and lay on if he so desires.

This is where I do a lot of journaling and writing. My sofa is the next most likely place--and then a coffee shop.

~ Stacy Duplease

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 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

Old Fashioned Writing.

Please note that I am saying this tongue in cheek and am being silly.
I had a moment of enlightenment earlier and that led to me having to... think!
If the power goes out... I will not be able to use cell phone or Amazon Kindle Fire for long. I want to have enough life in them to send updates to my blog.
So, I started to wonder how I would get writing done.
I have not written by anything for well over a year by anything other than via computer, tablet, or cell. I have gone digital. Up until a month ago or so, I printed out what I wrote. But, I am truly paperless now.
So... What about writing? How will I write if the power goes out? (I am being silky here.)
Wait. I write historical fiction. What did they do in the old days for writing? Wait. I think I heard something about that. I will write... by... hand! Gasp.
Earlier, I found two large blank journals my Granny gave me over a year and a half ago. I will use them. I even found six pens. I think I am set. Hence, I will do old fashioned writing if the electricity goes out.
Can't wait. (Seriously. It should prove inspirational and should stir things up for my writing. That will be a good thing.)

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Stacy Duplease
-- Sent from my Kindle Fire

Journaling and Writing Resource: A 5-Year Journal

I want to share this with you--whether you want to journal or are a writer. 

The following link is a place to go to find all sorts of journaling and/or writing prompts:

http://debbiehodge.com/2012/01/5-year-journal-01/

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

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

A writing hazard

I just wrote a scene where they eating Chinese food--so now I am craving it terrible!

The hazards of being a writer... (Hate it when that happens.) 

I know what I am doing tomorrow! Lol. 

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

Writing Help--or Obstacles?

Here it is 10:24 a.m. and I am still in my pj's. (Gotta love the full-time writing thing!) I am trying to get a lot of writing done and do not want to stop for a bit to change. I am not even getting up for coffee--and that is saying something! 

Evidently, someone (Sinan the Terrible. Cat. Lol.) thought I was working too hard and decided to be cute (he's good at that!). 

"Whatcha doin?" Sinan asked as he hung from the back on desk chair--with me sitting in it (see the pink pj's). 

Me: "You're--not--helping!" I say in a high and cute voice he seems to like.

In the meanwhile... Zack Beagle is bored with my writing--as usual.

And you can see the shelf that needs organizing and the rice sock I threw to the floor when I got too hot (sore back). 

And, how do I get writing done with this handful? 

So, is he a helper or an obstacle? I think I am going to take his cue that I need to go get dressed and get coffee and then try another round of intense writing.

So, what do you do with writing obstacles? Do you allow them to be an obstacle--or do you turn it into a benefit and something positive? 

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 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

Genre Change

I have always loved adventure stories... Let alone myth, conspiracy theories, secret organizations, treasure hunting, etc. The myths and legends that I love to learn about are: King Arthur, Camelot, Avalon, Merlin, Atlantis, the Knights Templar, the Magi, the Masons, the Illuminati, the Holy Grail, the Ark of the Covenant, Noah's Ark, the Library of Alexandria, etc. Never mind: Indiana Jones, the Mummy, National Treasure, etc.

What about the real truths of history? The stuff that may or may not have been recorded? And what really happened? And what could have happened?

And, what about family secrets? 

And, what about spies?!? I love them! 

I have recently traced my family back to NERO. The worst persecutor of Christians--ever. He is a direct ancestor of mine. How's that for a skeleton in the closet? That's one side of the family. The other has Charlemagne and other bishops and people of faith. So, the enemies in this series will be my own family. And so will the good guys! (Just a little foreshadowing.)

And, just as books in the 80's and 90's had the Russians as the enemy. Mine will be the fanatical jihadists/terrorists.

I decided the only thing to do was to try my hand at Thriller Historical Fiction. I think this might be a genre I made up, but I am not sure. I know Steve Berry and Dan brown can fit here. The only difference is I will use the mysteries that could surround my family to support Jesus Christ and the Holy Bible. 

Yes. I have read Dan Brown and Steve Berry. I LOVE these authors. And, I am a Christian. Did their books make me question my faith? No. Did I think them heresy? No. They are fiction. As a matter of fact, their books made my faith even more solid because I can see how people can be imaginative, but I know the truth--and I know that I know that I know. (I also read JK Rowling and watch TV shows.) 

BOTTOM-LINE

I want to write a Christian-based, solidly based on the absolute truth of Scripture, treasure hunt, secret organization, spy adventure novel--with historical fiction as the backdrop where answers are found and where life back then is made alive today. It will be a series very loosely based on my family--with a whole lot of what-if questions asked to make it exciting and an adventure.

(Image Credit: Microsoft Images Online.) 

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

Writing Etc. Etc. Etc.

One of the things I love most about writing is how it is something that can unite people--across the world--no matter the background, ethnicity, beliefs, shape, color, nation, etc. It is a great unifier. It is where one writer supports another and has the integrity to not steal one another's work (please!), but learn from one another. 

Writing unites us.

While we might disagree with one another, we can respect one another's craft.

That's pretty amazing.

(Photo Credit: Microsoft Images Online.)

Stacy Duplease
Thriller Historical Fiction Writer

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

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