Skill a Day! (Focused practice to increase your writing adroitness) http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013 Sariah Ah, I just started posting information on this, and now it's gone. I'll get it all back up soon, don't worry. I should have planned ahead for that. For those of you who haven't heard (which I'm guessing is about all but 20 WriMos), I had this idea of how to improve our writing even more this November. Practicing every day will improve our skill. But my idea is to practice with a specific, different target in mind every day. These won't be based on genre. For example, one day we will focus on imagery, the next day will focus on setting, then character development, then using descriptive details to set the tone, then creating tension within a scene, then dialogue. (These are just a few of the ideas I've had. If you want to see something specific, please please please write a comment! I would love to hear what you want to work on.) Since I'm (very) far from being an expert on any of these topics, I'll be using my mad google skills to locate what I think are the best writing articles on the subject. I'm planning on digging up 25 articles for the month. I tend to take Sundays off, but if you don't, feel free to use Sundays as a free day to practice anything you want, or just get your word count up. Of course, you could just drop by and read the articles for reference. I won't judge. ;) I hope to see many of you in the next few weeks! If you have any questions, please let me know! Tue, 11 Oct 2011 02:48:55 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_2917 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_2917 ladybard I think I'll give this a try. And I remember getting emails when you posted (I'd subscribed to the other post) and thinking, "Oops, the site's going to have the reboot tomorrow and those are not going to be there any more" - however, I do have all those links in my in-box from being subscribed, so let's see if the quote tag works: [quote]So I've got some links for you! https://bubbl.us/ I just discovered this site and I love it. It's easy to sign up (and not even necessary if you aren't planning on saving as you go), easy to use, and I've found it very helpful. It's a brainstorm/mind mapping tool. You can save, print, and move your bubbles around if you choose. http://www.web-writer.net/fantasy/days/index.html World building! This is geared more toward fantasy world building, but it would work very well for science fiction as well. And some pieces would be useful for any genre. http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/snowflake.php I've heard rave reviews about this method. You start with a little seed and expand it out. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcmiqQ9NpPE (Part one of five.) This is a very systematic, structured approach to plot. As the presenter describes, this will give you a skeleton to hang the rest of your story on. http://pbworks.com/ Do you have a lot of notes? Do you want to keep them organized? This site lets you make your own wiki. You controls who sees it, who can edit, etc. Go to the top and click "get started" and then hit "Personal User." From there you can pick out your domain name, it'll be www.______.pbworks.com. From what I can tell, you can make more than one wiki, if you want to. http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com/ Baby names! I added this one because you can search by name meaning. http://bluecentauri.com/tools/writer/common.php There are a lot of name generators out there, but most are geared toward sci-fi and fantasy. This one is a common name generator. Abbie Cohen, Monica Townsend, or Jake Butler anyone? These websites have some great information, and lots of articles. My personal favorite is the first one, but the others are in no particular order. A lot of the articles I'll be posting are likely to come from these places. http://www.writingexcuses.com/ http://www.writersdigest.com/ http://writermag.com/ http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles.html http://fictionwriting.about.com/ [/quote] [quote] http://DIYMFA.com/ Ah, I knew there were others. Lots of articles up here too. [/quote] Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:41:41 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_3844 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_3844 Demonology This is a really good idea. I'd definitely go along with it. Sounds like a great way to focus on things I probably wouldn't otherwise think to try and improve Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:59:35 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_7915 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_7915 -Rochelle I'm definitely up for this, it sounds like a great idea. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:04:36 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_8946 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_8946 lace_and_frills Count me in! Tue, 11 Oct 2011 12:53:22 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_9708 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_9708 GELane Me too, I really need to get something to keep me writing, and considering my Creative Writing textbook has actually been what's gotten me into Nano-mood recently, something like this sounds like a perfect fit xD Tue, 11 Oct 2011 13:45:07 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_10670 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_10670 thecandiedmango I concur with all the other concurrenceses. I know there are things that I struggle with (pacing, not giving enough information, tension) that will absolutely KILL my story so I think this sort of practice would be HEY-STREMELY helpful. Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:41:45 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_11689 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_11689 Dreamer15 I'm in! :) Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:42:43 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_11708 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_11708 KonataIzumi1 I'm up for it! (This is for November right?) Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:03:35 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_12078 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_12078 faithundefined Count me in! Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:32:59 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_12620 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_12620 Ranne I'm in :) Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:49:11 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_12925 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_12925 RainbowConnection I might have to get in on this! Tue, 11 Oct 2011 16:48:54 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_14035 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_14035 MisterMoon I think this will be great! Tue, 11 Oct 2011 21:14:05 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_19097 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_19097 Lydia_Ember I think I'll try this. I already liked the "Write 1K a day, 100 words at a time) thing someone posted in a Camp Nano thread. Helped me reach it fairly painlessly. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 08:05:54 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_25824 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_25824 Joselyn This is a really good idea. I feel like it'll help me from feeling like what I'm writing is total crap at least :D If I'm focusing on making one thing well done. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:08:32 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_35791 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_35791 Janelle. I love reading about writing skills, so count me in! I always leave out descriptions... that's my weakest point. What do you mean, people don't see the image in my head? :P Wed, 12 Oct 2011 22:32:17 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_37880 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_37880 rainbowmaker Hope you've got 30 lined up ready to roll! Sat, 15 Oct 2011 01:46:50 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_67039 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_67039 Sariah Working on it! I think I have enough to last the first week, anyway! What is NaNo but a fly by the seat of your pants expedition? (Seriously though, I am hoping to have everything lined up by the time November starts.) Sun, 16 Oct 2011 01:19:37 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_78945 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_78945 tichwi This is a great idea! I will definitely be joining in next month! Sun, 23 Oct 2011 23:21:08 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_193215 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_193215 Sariah First article will go up in 11 or 12 hours! I want to put them up the night before, so if you want to start at midnight, it will be available for you. I'm going to put up a word count goal each time too, to let you know where you should be if you are doing the 1,667 words a day approach, or the 2000 words a day approach (one day off per week, which is what I do). I'm finalizing the list of topics and articles, so this is the last chance for requests! Mon, 31 Oct 2011 09:57:08 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_321758 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_321758 JordynM This sounds like a good idea, and could make the revision after November interesting as I watch a roller coaster of focuses go by. Then again, maybe a day of focusing on one skill means I will internalize some of that skill before moving on to the next skill the next day. Here's to hoping! Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:46:42 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_322960 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_322960 Erica in the novel Thanks for the NaNoMail reminder, Sariah! I had forgotten all about this thread. Glad to be called back in. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 10:59:21 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_323278 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_323278 ragdolltb This could be very helpful, as I haven't done much writing in a very long time. I'm in! Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:29:18 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_325614 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_325614 Captain Lonewolf Oh, thanks for the reminder! I'm in. Mon, 31 Oct 2011 17:08:28 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_332736 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_332736 Sariah Here is your first article! http://www.superheronation.com/2011/08/31/writing-distinct-character-voices/ The topic is writing characters with distinct voices. Let's all start off by introducing some unique characters that will do some interesting things this month! Remember, don't worry about the pacing, the description, plot, whatever. Just focus on practicing writing distinct voices for your characters. And try to write between 1,667 and 2,000 words this first day. I'd also love it if people posted here with how they are doing for each day's topic. What do you find difficult? Maybe someone has a suggestion for you. Was it easy for you? Share some tips! How did you incorporate it into your writing? What worked? What didn't? Are you happy with how it turned out? From where I am, I have about 45 minutes left before I can start. The anticipation is killing me! How is everyone else doing! Good luck! And thanks you all for coming along on this crazy ride with me! Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:15:37 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_340212 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_340212 Sariah Just one more thing to add before we start. (I took this off of Shannon Hale's Facebook page.) "Writing a first draft and reminding myself that I'm simply shoveling sand into a box so that later I can build castles." Mon, 31 Oct 2011 22:41:51 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_340798 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_340798 twentwor This sounds like a great idea! I don't know if I'll stick strictly to it, but I think it will be great to try and work on various writing skills while ploughing through NaNoWriMo. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:25:13 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_342850 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_342850 Lydia_Ember Distinct voices? Done and done. Besides my fan fic, I'm trying to juggle a 20 something year old guy that that's a special techniques trainer (scif fi story), an 8 year old alien Wolf mix that doesn't know how bad her dad made things yet, an 18 year old primitive that meets a modern day chick and a 17 year old farmer that got absorbed in a wizard's quest in pen pals. It's kinda fun figuring out what each one will say. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 00:59:50 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_343585 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_343585 Captain Lonewolf Well, I've always done distinct voices through fanfiction and stuff and so far, this has been going pretty good for me. I introduced a peasant boy and did pretty well with it. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 02:37:46 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_345389 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_345389 Sariah Awesome! I'm glad you're having a good time of it already. Is there anything that you do you help you? Do you base voices off of friends, get to know characters really well before writing? What helps you keep them distinctive? For me, I'm trying to keep characters themselves very different, which helps me separate their voices. My main character is a very lowly, angry young woman. The other characters I've introduced (and will introduce) are much different in age and station. Knowing that their backgrounds are so different is making it a bit easier for me. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:04:17 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_356156 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_356156 Adreago Thanks for the reminder! I'm definitely in. I really like the first article, I have a lot of trouble with character voices. I tend to blur people together. =[ Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:59:45 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_360381 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_360381 the_blue_dynamo I may have to check this out... Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:12:07 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_360888 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_360888 stevieella Oh I like this! I mainly struggle with plot, I can easily write thousands of works on tiny details but that makes anything I write feel like it needs a kick up the butt! I'm only 750 words in and already feel like I'm losing hold of all intentions to write to the best of my ability so any prompts would be greatly appreciated :) Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:04:44 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_362858 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_362858 MollyShort I'm in with this as well, for this first little bit of my story, it wasn't too hard to differentiate between each voice as long as something in particular about their personalities was a little different. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:27:46 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_372201 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_372201 Deathbypenz Great idea! Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:53:02 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_373125 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_373125 Sariah Good work with day one everyone! I hope it was helpful. For day two, we're going to be practicing description in general, but setting in particular. I've decided something. The amount of description is one of the major differences between fiction and really bad fanfic. http://wow-womenonwriting.com/40-FE3-SettingDescription.html The word count goal for today is 3,334 (or 4,000 if you're planning on taking one day a week off this month). Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:32:49 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_374428 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_374428 Lydia_Ember Description, my arch nemesis. We meet again. *dun dun DUN!!!!!* Yeah, I often skip/skimp on this in my first drafts cuz I don't want to make anything too poetic. That, and sometimes I myself don't care, so I forget that others do. Like, if I were to tell my grandma about what happened at the store, I'll be like, "Okay, so when I had my things, the cashier-" "Man or a woman?" "Uh, some guy. Anyway-" "What color was he?" "Tan, but who cares? Anyway-" Ironically I ended my NaNo with a wall breaking scene where a character demands to know where I've thrown him and why. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:04:37 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_377675 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_377675 paperlanterns I'm in! *puts thread on watch* Tue, 01 Nov 2011 23:11:30 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_377901 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_377901 Klstevens This sounds like an amazingly useful thing! I'm always willing to read and learn while doing Nano. Great idea! Thread? Watched. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:51:18 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_391416 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_391416 Lydia_Ember Is this good? [quote] Bordonia's first restaurant was very plain, but comfortable. Everywhere she looked there were wood surfaces: Cherry floor boards, walnut booths with pine green cushions, a walnut trimmed red oak counter with matching barstools, also with green cushions, for those that preferred to eat that way; and white oak walls that concealed the birch wall frames. The rafters showed, however. The front windows were large enough to illuminate the tiny cafe during the day. At night, customers dined under ceiling lamps made from colanders suspended from chain links. While it is ironic that she adds a nod to recycling in a room of new wood, she isn't concerned. After all, who's going to make a replica of this place? [/quote] Yeah, blatant wall breaking here. Whatever. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:37:45 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_398314 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_398314 ForbesStimson I have a lot of trouble switching between describing and plot advancement. But what works well for me is to sit down and write for 15 minutes a 600 word description of the room, building, environment, people's looks, etc, then read through it and insert actual dialogue and events into it. It does look a bit weird if I don't cut some of the less significant description, but I'm trying not to do to much of that during NaNo. But I can make a mental image, type it up, and then advance the plot through it, much better than I can interlace them while writing along. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 14:52:21 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_398825 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_398825 closetomidnight Thanks for that link! I have lots of trouble with description. Writing out each sense and what is being sensed helps a lot. I also need to remember to be very specific - except when I'm being elusive and vague on purpose! Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:06:33 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_399319 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_399319 Adreago That's a great article on setting, can't wait for the next one! Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:49:34 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_407218 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_407218 msmeadow That link was really cool. Going over what I wrote yesterday, the setting was definitely the main thing I was missing. I'll redo that part after nanowrimo, but I have been writing today with setting in mind, and I am a lot happier with what i wrote today, than what i wrote yesterday. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:27:24 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_412998 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_412998 Sariah Day 3, we will be focusing on dialogue! http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/stilted-dialogue I think the main things they stress here are adding subtext and making sure the dialogue fits the circumstances. I'd also like to add that dialogue is generally not the place for exposition, unless you do it really, really well. (It can be done!) In addition, I was thinking about putting up a more generalized article about crafting villains for Day 4. Would anyone have an enormous problem with that? Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:30:52 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_413099 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_413099 Lydia_Ember Yay, dialogue! Woohoo! I can do that :) I'm always reading in between the lines. Course, I should use that to make up for my low word count :/ Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:36:54 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_415450 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_415450 msmeadow I've actually been reading up on dialogue just today. I have a copy of Nancy Lamb's "The Art and Craft of Storytelling" - which I highly recommend - and have a few things worth mentioning that may be of value to someone. She has a whole chapter on Inner and Outer dialogue, and I can't touch on everything, obviously, but let me point out some of her no-no's of dialogue. I was/am guilty of a few of them. :) - Ditch inaccurate tag line verbs. i.e.: "Guess again!" he laughed/grimaced/wept. Tags like these should be avoided, because they don't describe the act of speaking, they describe what the person is doing while speaking. Nancy suggests using something like this: "Guess again," he said with a laugh. - Avoid fancy tag lines Nancy points out that the eyes are accustomed to skipping over "saids", which keeps the pace of the dialogue brisk. Tag lines like "he opined" "she objected" etc jump off the page and interrupt the narrative flow, so fancy tag lines should be used sparingly and with good reason. - Don't use proper names to distinguish speakers Things like: "Why would you say that, Donna?" "I don't know, Mark." ...tend not to work very well, because people rarely use proper names in dialogues unless they are trying to make a specific point, as Nancy points out. She mentions that it makes the prose sound stiff. I hope after reading the article Sariah shared, these pointers will also be useful to some of you. :) Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:58:32 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_417851 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_417851 Sariah So it is now Day Four! By the end of the day, you should have somewhere between 6000 and 8000 words. If you don't, you either get applause or encouragement. It's early in the month yet. Go, go go! Today, I'm posting an article about creating villains. http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/improve-my-writing/3-techniques-for-crafting-your-villain If you haven't already, please take a few minutes to think about an antagonist for your story. Maybe write a scene from their point of view to get inside their heads. Tomorrow I'll actually be writing a scene from my villain's point of view. Later, I'll reintroduce her from my MC's point of view as a harmless doctor. Oh, the dramatic irony. What is/are your antagonist(s) like? Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:04:42 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_451103 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_451103 Lydia_Ember Ah, the villains. Not really sure if I'll have anyone truly evil since it's not serious at all. One of my bad guys is Vaati from LoZ Minish Cap. He was awesome, and I'm glad they gave him some back story (the a giant eyeball is just stupid, even for a video game). For those that haven't played it, Vaati was a Minish (tiny magical creature) that worked with a master magician. Their sole purpose was to make humans happy. He became interested in the evil that existed and used a magic hat to grant him the ability to act on said evil. He then goes on to nearly killing the princess, something only done maybe on other time in the entire series. Another is a prince that kills off one of the heroes to get with a princess. I might have had more their when I made that guy years ago, but it all escapes me now. Kinda cliche, but it's fan fic. It's just an exercise to see if I can add some depth to it. I really don't know if I'll have an over-arching bad guy in this, or if that'd even work. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:20:55 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_451556 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_451556 sandstormkat Okay I'm joining in a few days late. On the challenge, not on nano in general. Well, Ill do the extra challenges I missed on Sundays! Fri, 04 Nov 2011 01:37:35 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_454249 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_454249 badpoppet Excited about today's challenge! I have a major villain in mind for my stories (I'm writing a bunch of shorter pieces all centered around a location) and I think I've been holding off on introducing them. Thanks for the nudge! Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:09:46 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_454698 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_454698 JordynM I love the skill a day. I don't know how I am going to do the villain thing. I'm not a big fan of writing a scene from my antagonist's point of view, and he hasn't "arrived" yet. I'll see what I can do without veering off track though. Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:46:46 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_479168 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_479168 Sariah We have fought valiantly, tooth and nail, burning the bridges of writer's block! I am speaking metaphorically, of course. And speaking of metaphors... http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/crafttechnique/a/mixedmetaphors.htm I toyed with the idea of assigning a writing exercise to avoid all adverbs and adjectives, but two seconds later I came to my senses. This is NaNoWriMo. We need those extra fluffy words! (Well, I do, anyway!) Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:20:37 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_481968 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_481968 Lydia_Ember Whoo, metaphors... :/ It's my arch nemesis' side kick. And I never got to my villains, either. Oh well. I guess I gotta do both now. Whee... Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:46:34 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_482621 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_482621 Sariah Remember to back up your novels this weekend. That's your assignment! And you should hit 10,000 words by Sunday night! (Or by tonight, if you're taking tomorrow off.) Have a good weekend, everyone! Awesome job on the first week. :) Sat, 05 Nov 2011 17:53:25 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_502524 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_502524 Sariah The next two days are connected, and the first article comes from the Script Frenzy website. If you haven't heard, NaNoWriMo has a sister event in April for writing plays, scripts, and the like. I loved this article when it came out, and I wanted to pass along the wonderful advice! http://scriptfrenzy.org/node/411397 So how was everyone's weekend? Get a lot of writing done? :) Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:23:24 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_539805 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_539805 Lydia_Ember Nah, I hardly wrote. Was too tired and think I have to cut another character and send them to the Graveyard. I like this. This will help me a lot with fixing my other story. Thanks ^_^ Mon, 07 Nov 2011 08:06:08 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_548488 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_548488 Sariah This following story is an excerpt of the very first edition of Writer's Digest "Handbook of Novel Writing." The whole article will be found there, but I'll just summarize the rest of it. In addition, I have no idea why the article didn't make it into the following editions. It was awesome! (And it was written by Gary Provost.) Hard-working Ted had a crush on Patty. One night at the Moose Lodge, Ted-though limping slightly from a hockey injury-asked Patty to dance and she said yes. Then he asked if she’d like to go candlepin bowling sometimes and she said yes, that would be splendid. Ted got more and more infatuated with Patty, so he asked her to go steady and Patty said yes. Before long, Ted and Patty were in love. On a drizzly Tuesday afternoon at the coin laundry, Ted got down on his knees and asked Patty to marry him. Patty said yes. Ted said he wanted to live in Elgin, Illinois, and he asked Patty if that would be okay with her. “Yes,” she said “Yes, yes, Ted, I love you more than anything, including chocolate-covered cherries, and I want us to have three babies, Okay?” Ted said “Yes”. So they moved to Elgin, where Ted applied for and got a job at the rope factory, and they had three healthy kids and lived happily ever after. THE END The title of the article was "Just Say No." Provost points out that in real life, it's great when everything goes our way and we get what we need and want, but no one wants to read about that in fiction. That above story was pretty dull. Provost then starts out by asking what if. What if Patty was dating someone else? What if Ted couldn't get a job? What if they get married, and then Patty doesn't want to move to Elgin? This works well with overarching plot, but it also works in a scene too. The killer went through one of these doors. Don't let your hero pick the right one first, unless of course the killer is waiting behind it with a knife. Some of the nos have to turn into yeses eventually, but if things come too easily, it's not a believable story. We love it when characters really go through a lot and earn that happy ending. And that's all I have for tonight! So figure out what your characters want, what they will do to get it, and then say no! There will be more of this article tomorrow. (It's just so great that I had to split it up. And sadly, I can't find it anywhere online. I'd suggest looking at your local library for a copy of the book.) Mon, 07 Nov 2011 22:32:13 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_567253 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_567253 Lydia_Ember That kinda reminds me of a point in Get That Novel Written where the author urges you to keep raising the stakes in your novel. Constantly adding conflict can curb the tendency to say "yes" all the time with no issues. Tue, 08 Nov 2011 07:39:59 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_572988 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_572988 Sariah Here is the other half. How to turn nos into yeses: -Increase the potential gain of saying yes -Increase the potential harm of saying no (Normal people say no to jumping off cliffs (without a bungee cord), but you might consider it if there was something worse than the drop chasing you.) -Increase the urgency -Reduce potential harm from saying yes -Give your characters new information, insight, or play off of their emotions or desires (your character doesn't want to be seen as a coward) This isn't an exhaustive list. Only you know what will motivate your characters and fix their problems. Provost mentions you can get nos just from the situation itself, not only from other characters. For example, you can't build a homemade rocket and live to land on the moon. "Oh yeah?" says your character. There are a million things that could be nos in that scenario! As a final note, Provost says to give your characters the tools they need to get out of the situation before you get them into it. For example, don't lock your character in a closet and say, oh by the way, this person is an expert lockpicker. Of course, this is NaNoWriMo, so please feel free to completely disregard this last piece of advice this month! You can always go back and add it in later. In closing, say no to your characters! Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:53:05 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_592288 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_592288 Sariah Sentence length! This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five-word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It’s like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety. Now listen. I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And I use sentences of medium length. And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals–sounds that say listen to this, it is important. I once used this to great affect in a November past. There was a very tense scene, and I used very long sentences to stretch it out. It was kind of ironic, but I thought it came out well. So how are everyone's novels coming? It's all right if you are a little bit lagging (I know I am!), but try not to get too far behind. You can always work on catching up in Week Three, when the going is a little easier than Week Two. And remember, when in doubt, just add ninjas! Wed, 09 Nov 2011 22:13:30 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_611766 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_611766 Sariah Emotion! This quote is from E.L. Doctorow: Good writing is supposed to evoke sensation in the reader - not the fact that it is raining, but the feeling of being rained upon. Show us how your character feels. Make us feel it too! Try to keep this in mind when you're writing, but if you are falling behind, just write as fast as you can! Par for the 11th is 18,333 words. If you're behind, don't try to make it all up in one day, you'll only get discouraged. Instead, just write a few extra words a day. You'll be all caught up by the end of the month! Thu, 10 Nov 2011 23:07:14 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_633100 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_633100 Sariah You're update today is about breaks in between scenes, when to break, cliffhangers, and the like. I know I've been having trouble with this one, anyone else? I'm 14,000 words in, and I'm still in chapter 3! You can either listen to the podcast here: http://www.writingexcuses.com/2009/07/07/writing-excuses-season-3-episode-6-dramatic-breaks/ or read a transcript here: http://mbarker.livejournal.com/117854.html This is an episode of Writing Excuses, which is a great podcast on writing. This episode is about 17 minutes long. So out of curiosity, how many chapters do you have? Everyone should be around 21,000 words by the end of the weekend. There's still time to catch up if you aren't, and if you are, way to go! Remember to back up your novels! Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:14:09 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_652276 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_652276 Lydia_Ember Man, I am sooo behind right now. Gotta update my WC and try to weave in some of these. Well, I think a few of them I'm doing by default. Not really sure, though. Sat, 12 Nov 2011 07:02:08 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_655863 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_655863 Lydia_Ember Oh, I'm not giving up. I'm just saying I'm crazy behind. Sat, 12 Nov 2011 15:07:12 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_661952 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_661952 Sariah I just realized I forgot to post this last night! Sorry. :) I knew it was going to happen sooner or later. http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/overcoming-writers-block.aspx This isn't so much a skill you will practice only today, but something to help you out whenever you need it. Good luck everyone! Who still needs to catch up? Mon, 14 Nov 2011 08:47:14 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_691165 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_691165 Sariah And looking out the window, she remembered at time when she didn't have to spend every waking hour writing. Those were the days... [insert flashback here] Flashbacks! http://www.writersdigest.com/qp7-migration-all-articles/qp7-migration-fiction/3_tips_for_writing_successful_flashbacks Happy halfway day! Is there anyone here that's ahead, behind, or right on target? By the way, today is a perfect day to back up your novel! Tue, 15 Nov 2011 08:46:20 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_707876 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_707876 Adreago I'm right on target! (Sort of, I was actually hoping to write 2k each day, but I'm on track with the 667/day) This thread has been really helpful so far- it was another incentive to keep writing, because then I get to see another cool article on writing. :] Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:35:44 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_712267 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_712267 RhiannonG Well I just found this thread--full of great ideas and articles and links, thank you so much! I have just the place for a flashback. Keeping up so far but I want to get to 30K by tonight because I have to work ten-hour shifts the next three days, and I don't get much writing done on those days... Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:03:13 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_713818 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_713818 Sariah Here's the next one! http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/10-ways-to-launch-strong-scenes I'm glad people are finding this helpful! :) Keep on writing! Tue, 15 Nov 2011 22:32:31 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_719406 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_719406 Lydia_Ember Yeah, I'll just save these all somewhere and apply them on the story I wanted to write this month. kinda not an option now. but, I digress. It's sprinting time! Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:38:54 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_729392 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_729392 Sariah Sprinting is wonderful! :) I think my greatest problem with this topic is the fact that I'm long winded and don't know how to end, so therefore I can't start a new scene! Anyone else with that problem? Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:21:28 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_734141 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_734141 Sariah Here is the article for Day 17! http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/createconflict.html I think this has some great advice for how to ramp up the conflict within one small scene using little things. And I love the example that they used. Write, write, write! Wed, 16 Nov 2011 21:24:15 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_734182 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_734182 Sariah Your article for Day 18 is a very funny piece about word choice. http://writerunboxed.com/2011/05/17/just-call-it-freaking-green-already/ If you are far behind just remember, some people hit 50,000 in the first week or two. There's still a week or two left, so don't give up! Thu, 17 Nov 2011 23:26:30 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_749826 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_749826 Sariah Setting! http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2011/03/5-tips-for-writing-better-settings.html I know it's sort of strange to talk about setting in the middle of the month, but I've noticed I've been leaving it out of my novel. And it's good for the word count! Fri, 18 Nov 2011 22:32:09 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_761743 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_761743 Sariah Dialogue! Again! These are much more general dos and don'ts, though. http://www.fictionaddiction.net/Writer-s-Toolbox/writing-dialogue.html There's two pages, so don't forget to click through. Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:18:31 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_787871 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_787871 Sariah Today isn't so much something for you to do, just something to remember. “Nobody tells this to people who are beginners, I wish someone told me. All of us who do creative work, we get into it because we have good taste. But there is this gap. For the first couple years you make stuff, it’s just not that good. It’s trying to be good, it has potential, but it’s not. But your taste, the thing that got you into the game, is still killer. And your taste is why your work disappoints you. A lot of people never get past this phase, they quit. Most people I know who do interesting, creative work went through years of this. We know our work doesn’t have this special thing that we want it to have. We all go through this. And if you are just starting out or you are still in this phase, you gotta know its normal and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work. Put yourself on a deadline so that every week you will finish one story. It is only by going through a volume of work that you will close that gap, and your work will be as good as your ambitions. And I took longer to figure out how to do this than anyone I’ve ever met. It’s gonna take awhile. It’s normal to take awhile. You’ve just gotta fight your way through.” -Ira Glass Tue, 22 Nov 2011 00:17:59 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_801435 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_801435 ivyflightislistening Awesome idea! Tue, 22 Nov 2011 05:22:37 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_802710 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_802710 Sariah Day 23: How to find your voice! I think the biggest advice they have is "Practice." Woah, that kind of sounds like what we're doing right now! (Another bit of advice is to write as fast as you can and not worry about it in the first draft, and your natural voice will leak out. So if you're worried about your word count, this is a great one for you! http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/voice.html There is one other bit of advice that I want to add here, and sadly, I have no idea where I read it. When you've finished writing a first draft, reread it and look for what you think sounds like your voice and what doesn't. What sounds good to you? What sounds wrong? Concentrate of finding where you did it right, and you'll be better able to repeat it later. Good luck everyone! I'm assuming lots of people will be celebrating Thanksgiving instead of/in addition to writing as fast as they can (I know I will!), so I won't be posting an article for Day 24. Happy Thanksgiving! Don't eat *too* much. International friends... have you ever thought about visiting the States for Thanksgiving? It's fun. :) Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:42:47 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_814047 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_814047 Sariah Not much time left now! http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/scene.php Scene structure! 'Tis a good read, if a little bit long. But it does have convenient places to stop within the article. :) Thu, 24 Nov 2011 23:18:45 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_837030 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_837030 Sariah Writing action! The transcript is here: http://wetranscripts.livejournal.com/43023.html Or if you want to listen to it, go here: http://www.writingexcuses.com/2011/03/27/writing-excuses-5-30-writing-action/ They have a bit of introduction at the beginning, so if you want to skip that and you're reading the transcript, just search for where they say "checklist." If you're listening to it, I'm sorry, I didn't look up where that would be, minute-wise. Probably just one or two minutes in. Fri, 25 Nov 2011 23:35:19 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_848183 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_848183 Sariah So I left the last three days of the month open. (Translation: I didn't plan this far ahead!) So I want to know what you would like me to find articles for? Endings? A repeat of something we've already done? If I don't get any requests, I'll just try to find ones I think I need to read, and then hope that I'm the same as everybody else. :) If you aren't going to focus on articles for the last three days, just catch up on your word count, you can still make a request too. Or if you are just finding this thread, you can make a request as well! -Sariah Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:13:20 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_854662 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_854662 Sariah Gah. Sorry. I know I'm starting to think about endings! http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/08/09/how-to-write-the-ending/ I do have to disagree with one point here. If "sappy extraneous contemplation" gets you to 50k, by all means use it! Mon, 28 Nov 2011 09:55:46 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_874705 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_874705 Sariah Today, while I'm sure you're all trying to get as many words in as possible, try to find the details in the world you've created. It's a great way to make your writing seem more like a tangible world, and it's great for the word count! http://www.how-to-write-a-novel.net/writing-fiction.html Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:50:29 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_883869 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_883869 Adreago I kind of checked out of nano for a few days there, but I'm back, and almost caught back up. (yeah!) On the bright side, I got to read the last 5 or 6 articles you linked, and I love them all. Seriously, going back even further than that you picked out tons of great links for us. Thanks so much. ^^ (See that, I'm planning ahead. Knowing how forgetful I am, I thanked you before the month was over. Nanowrimo has taught me so much. ^^) Anyways, I'm really glad I you sent me that nano-mail, and I will definitely being bookmarking these links for future use. So thanks a ton! Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:42:01 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_884285 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_884285 garb This thread has helped me SO much, especially on days when I really didn't know what to write. This year, Nano has been particularly difficult for me after five years of relative breezing through. Having a specific skill to practice really made those "I-don't-wanna" days a lot easier. So many good links that I'll be bookmarking and I hope you start this thread again next year! Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:38:51 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_894025 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_894025 Sariah This is your last one! I know everyone's probably making a mad dash to the end, so it's a pretty easy piece of advice to follow: http://www.fromthewriteangle.com/2011/11/dont-sweat-small-stuff.html Think of it as a last piece of encouragement for your first draft, or a nudge into your second draft! Awesome job everyone! And good luck with those last few sprints! Wed, 30 Nov 2011 00:30:27 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_896957 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_896957 Sariah So I am going to do this again next year, I think. (Though I'm going to move it to the Writing 101 forum.) I'm also planning something else, something extra special! As I was going through this, I thought it might be better to focus on ones skill a week. And so I give you: http://thesomedaynovelist.weebly.com/. It combines the idea of Skill a Day with Ray Bradbury's council to write a short story per week. The first several weeks will look familiar to some of the people here. :) We'll officially start in January. So stop by and write with me, look around at all the stuff I have set up, or just say hello! Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:24:16 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_952690 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_952690 Sariah Today's the day! Start writing the first of 52 stories you will finish by the end of the year! Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:21:07 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_1021342 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_1021342 coppertoe Nice bunch o' links, Sariah! Thanks for taking the time and trouble to post them all. I thought I'd compile them all in one place so the next person like me doesn't have to scroll through every page on the thread to find them--though there are some very good tips posted, so it's not a waste of time, for sure! Hope I haven't missed any. Here goes: Sariah's Link Suggestions <a href="http://wow-womenonwriting.com/40-FE3-SettingDescription.html%20" rel="nofollow">Setting</a> <a href="http://www.superheronation.com/2011/08/31/writing-distinct-character-voices/" rel="nofollow">Distinct Voices</a> <a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/stilted-dialogue" rel="nofollow">Dialogue</a> <a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/writing-articles/by-writing-goal/improve-my-writing/3-techniques-for-crafting-your-villain" rel="nofollow">Crafting Villains</a> <a href="http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/crafttechnique/a/mixedmetaphors.htm" rel="nofollow">Metaphors</a> <a href="http://scriptfrenzy.org/node/411397" rel="nofollow">Scenes</a> <a href="http://www.writingexcuses.com/2009/07/07/writing-excuses-season-3-episode-6-dramatic-breaks/" rel="nofollow">Dramatic Breaks--audio</a> <a href="http://mbarker.livejournal.com/117854.html" rel="nofollow">Dramatic Breaks--transcript</a> (transcript of audio above) <a href="http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/overcoming-writers-block.aspx" rel="nofollow">Writer's Block</a> <a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/qp7-migration-all-articles/qp7-migration-fiction/3_tips_for_writing_successful_flashbacks" rel="nofollow">Flashbacks</a> <a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/10-ways-to-launch-strong-scenes" rel="nofollow">More on Scenes</a> <a href="http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/createconflict.html" rel="nofollow">Conflict</a> <a href="http://writerunboxed.com/2011/05/17/just-call-it-freaking-green-already/" rel="nofollow">Description</a> <a href="http://jodyhedlund.blogspot.com/2011/03/5-tips-for-writing-better-settings.html" rel="nofollow">Settings</a> <a href="http://www.fictionaddiction.net/Writer-s-Toolbox/writing-dialogue.html" rel="nofollow">Dialogue</a> <a href="http://www.fictionfactor.com/articles/voice.html" rel="nofollow">More on Voice</a> <a href="http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/art/scene.php" rel="nofollow">Scenes</a> <a href="http://www.writingexcuses.com/2011/03/27/writing-excuses-5-30-writing-action/" rel="nofollow">Writing Action--audio</a> <a href="http://wetranscripts.livejournal.com/43023.html" rel="nofollow">Writing Action--transcript</a> (transcript of audio above) <a href="http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/08/09/how-to-write-the-ending/" rel="nofollow">Writing the Ending</a> Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:55:55 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_878168 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_878168 Sariah Ah! Thank you so much! Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:00:49 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_10946 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_10946 GhostThane This is exactly my problem! I worried I was the only one with this kind of issue. D: And i'm definitely going to be trying this, thanks! Tue, 01 Nov 2011 04:05:26 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_346584 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_346584 Sariah Yes, for November. Wed, 12 Oct 2011 01:43:00 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_23204 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_23204 Sariah That was the idea, and I hope it works out that way for everyone. It's hard to practice every skill at the same time, so here's hoping practicing one at a time will be helpful! Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:16:14 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_325228 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_325228 Sariah You're welcome! Mon, 31 Oct 2011 12:15:09 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_325194 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_325194 LizzasaurusRex Love that quote! I'm also loving this idea. Totally joining in! I only have about 15 minutes left until I can begin writing! Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:46:31 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_342053 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_342053 GhostThane I'm writing mine from a first person view, so you get to hear all of the inner dialogue of my main character. That helps a lot in keeping her voice separate from other people who may turn up like her. Otherwise, I try and find references from shows or my real life friends to find a similar enough voice to build off of. Occasionally adding "umm" or pauses for the less talkative or shy characters helps sometimes, though I worry about overdoing it sometimes I also find that I will exaggerate the voice of whatever character's i'm using in my story, partly as a way to keep myself involved in the way they talk, and partly as a bit of humor to keep me from throwing my computer when the dialogue doesn't flow as I'd like it too. XD Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:01:26 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_360447 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_360447 Lydia_Ember It's a combo of things. Primarily I think about the type of personality they have and adjust their speech accordingly, but that sometimes takes a bit to do. My first draft I rarely worry about what they sound like, but this year I'm becoming more aware of that. Also, my NaNo's a fan fic deal, so some of my characters are just remixes of pre made ones. It's kinda hard with silent characters cuz you have to guess (I'n looking at you, Link from LoZ) Tue, 01 Nov 2011 21:34:54 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_374504 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_374504 Sariah I've felt like that before! So far I'm keeping it at bay by just writing a little bit at a time. It's hard to make 50,000 words sound awesome, but I can make 100 or 200 words sound pretty good. And once I reach that hurdle, it's easier just to keep writing. I have some articles (scheduled for the beginning of week two) that I hope will help with plot. They're good articles! Tue, 01 Nov 2011 19:58:12 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_371188 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_371188 Sariah There's Zelda fanfic? Woah. Actually, in hindsight, I'm not that surprised. Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:16:19 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_375947 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_375947 Sariah Description is my arch nemesis too, which is why it's so early on in the month. (It's either to get it out of the way, or because I want to get better at it as soon as possible. I can't decide which.) Anyone here feel that they've got their description under control? What tips can you give the rest of us? Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:36:42 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_389373 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_389373 Sariah Good! I like how you start out broad, and then get down to specific details. Wed, 02 Nov 2011 17:12:05 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_403548 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_403548 Sariah I just noticed something. This is a restaurant, so you definitely need some smells in there! And maybe the sound of chattering customers and bubbling stew or sizzling bacon in the background. But definitely smell, if nothing else! Wed, 02 Nov 2011 20:30:00 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_411005 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=2#forum_thread_comment_411005 Sariah Just to clear something up, Day One was more intended as a character exercise. Day Three is for dialogue. While a few of the topics will overlap a bit this month, I didn't mean to put two this close together this early on in the month. Sorry! Wed, 02 Nov 2011 22:01:06 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_414183 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_414183 Sariah Thanks for those! It's true that people don't often call people by their names when talking to them. Just listen to conversation the next time you're sitting at the library or a cafe or when your kids come home from school (or whatever). And I've heard an author describe "saids" as a form of punctuation. Would that make fancy tag lines like interrobangs or something? Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:11:30 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_429356 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_429356 LizzasaurusRex This is great advice! I especially like the part about using saids. I often feel guilty about using that word every single line. Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:26:00 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_442695 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_442695 Adreago I love the inaccurate tag line verbs, I'd never heard of that. All very useful, thanks for this =] Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:57:43 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_443757 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_443757 Sariah Well, an antagonist is (in the broadest terms) just competition. Protagonists and antagonists have to be struggling for the same thing. Fri, 04 Nov 2011 13:22:48 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_465539 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_465539 Sariah I figured there would be some who wouldn't be ready to introduce them yet. And those who are in the mystery genre, or have a plot twist in mind, would probably want to avoid formal introductions completely! It's just a good idea to know what they're up too. Those antagonists are a pretty sneaky bunch. Fri, 04 Nov 2011 23:17:48 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_481895 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_481895 Sariah Or you could do one today and one tomorrow. Sat, 05 Nov 2011 09:24:38 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_489954 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_489954 msmeadow My plot has some mystery and twists to it so I didn't exactly need the villain, but I did happen to write a bad guy that day, and that was still good information to have. Thanks for that one. Wow, avoiding all adverbs and adjectives...that would be so interesting. I wonder if there would be anything at all left on my pages if I removed them now. :) My plan is to reach 12000 this weekend. I've been doing 2000 a day. If I exceed that, and have a little time left, I may try that idea for at least a few paragraphs. Thanks for the metaphor link... I think I may have read something good about those somewhere...will report back if I find it. :) Sat, 05 Nov 2011 18:43:44 -0500 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_503967 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_503967 Sariah Well, at least send them out with a lot of words! And remember everyone, don't delete anything! Do a reboot in the next chapter, highlight what you don't like and change the color to white so you don't have to look at it any more, but don't delete! Mon, 07 Nov 2011 11:20:12 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_551081 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=3#forum_thread_comment_551081 SaintAugustine [quote=Sariah] And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, I will engage him with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals–sounds that say listen to this, it is important. [/quote] That was quite the beautiful sentence. Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:40:14 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_617997 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_617997 msmeadow This is a big one I have to work on. I tend to make my sentences far too long. I've been writing with sentence length in the back of my mind all through my current novel. However, I haven't given much thought to varying the sentence length, though I do actually do this to a certain degree. This is a great tip, thank you! It's going ok, I suppose. I keep writing, but I'm at a point where my novel and I don't really like each other. A case of mutual disappointment. It expected more from me and I expected more from it. :) I keep reminding myself it's a rough draft, and I keep going. I have had a word goal of 2000 words a day. So far I have met that, and I exceeded it some. I think one important thing is when it's going well, and when you can, just keep writing, even if your quota is already met, because that little getting ahead will help you even things out when you fall behind. It has worked for me. Another thing you could do if you fall behind one day, is to calculate how much you should have had done by the end of the week. Take that number and evenly (or realistically, if evenly isn't realistic) split it over the days you have left in the week, to try to meet the quota by the end of the week. It's always nice starting a week "fresh" and with a blank slate. :) Fri, 11 Nov 2011 09:03:10 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_638314 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_638314 Sariah Why thank you! Unfortunately, it seems that I forgot to add the credit. That big paragraph was written by Gary Provost, not me. *sigh* Thu, 10 Nov 2011 14:39:29 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_623808 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_623808 msmeadow I'm at 22000 words, and only JUST started chapter 5. So I think I have the same troubles you have. At 14000 words I was also still in chapter 3. I've been getting up earlier every morning, to try and squeeze in as much writing as I can before leaving for work. Then at night, after homework (yes, I also go to school), I don't have as much to do to meet my word count, which is usually a good thing, because when I am exhausted I can still meet my daily goal, and when I am not I can get ahead by keeping on writing. To my writing buddy, who is having a difficult time finding time, I give challenge every weekend. If she meets the challenge she can win a prize. :) It worked last weekend, she was way behind, but motivation helped her catch up. Hopefully it will work this weekend, too, because she has fallen behind during the week again. Sat, 12 Nov 2011 12:06:18 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_659060 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_659060 iamstalkingu I have nearly 20,000 words and two chapters. Which is totally okay for me, since my chapters are usually about 800-900 words long. When I broke them off, they were ready to break. I'm sure I could have done it sooner, but it might have been awkward. I'm just about to start chapter three, though. Sat, 12 Nov 2011 14:23:35 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_661147 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_661147 Sariah I'm not much farther ahead than you. Set aside some writing time this weekend if you can. What I like to do is bribe myself with Youtube videos. The longer the video, the more words I have to write to earn it. Or, you could write for a certain amount of time and take a break every so often. What I like to do is figure out how fast I normally type, and then set a word count goal as well as a time limit for myself. That way, it's like a race! I've also discovered that writing with an outline has been wonderfully helpful for me this time around. I don't need to figure out what's next, so I don't stall when I write or put off writing. Anyone else have tactics for catching up? Sat, 12 Nov 2011 07:45:27 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_656160 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_656160 msmeadow Lydia_Ember, you can catch up again, I'm sure, just keep going, and don't give up. :) Sariah, I mentioned some of my tactics above. I am also writing with an outline, it has been extremely helpful. If I didn't have it, I don't know how I'd finish. Sat, 12 Nov 2011 12:10:01 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_659106 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_659106 msmeadow Wow! That is a really great article. I'll have to keep it in mind. :) Thu, 17 Nov 2011 12:00:47 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_741435 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_741435 Bouchra That's a nice paragraph quote, Sariah. Thanks for posting on here. I just stumbled upon your thread, and I bookmarked all of the links. I don't know whether I'll be using them this NaNo or not, because I'm already behind on my word count, and I don't have much time to experiment different writing techniques, let alone that I'm writing in another language; but I definitely will use them in the future. Thanks a lot, and keep up the good work = ) Good luck with your NaNovel. Tue, 22 Nov 2011 04:38:15 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_802558 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_802558 Sariah Who isn't behind on their word count? ;) We'll catch up. Good luck to you too! Tue, 22 Nov 2011 08:59:58 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_803860 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=4#forum_thread_comment_803860 Labyrinthian Day 28: This was an AWESOME thread. I just discovered it this afternoon. Thank-you for all the time and effort you put into finding the great links. I will use your links as I rework the flittering finger frantic fiction filling life right now. I've had trouble in my writing with these topics: - writing love scenes (is there anything different from writing any other scenes?) - what makes a character likeable? (the piece on villans was great) - do you have any checklists for editing your own work ? (obviously the only WriMo checklist is did you hit 50k) Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:27:01 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_880820 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_880820 Sariah Thank you very much! Wish I thought of doing that. :) Thu, 01 Dec 2011 00:05:55 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_912221 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=1#forum_thread_comment_912221 Sariah I've already got everything planned out for the next two days, but I think I can find what you're looking for. For example I know, for a fact, that I've read more than one article on editing! Actually, see if your local library has "Self Editing for Fiction Writers." It's an awesome book. Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:49:03 -0600 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_883855 http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/forums/reaching-50-000/threads/1013?page=5#forum_thread_comment_883855