Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Argh! Bl**dy fires!

Myffanwy — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:38:37 +0000

I took this week off purposefully to catch up and what happens?

Not even 3 days into my holidays and 2 fires in 2 days! Argh! Which means I have to be really careful. We got stood down today before we even turned out, but with the conditions out there, we may get flare ups and have to go out again! I'm writing when I can and every time I stop, I'm backing up, backing up, backing up!

Hopefully, today's fire will be out soon and we won't get called again to it. Fingers and everything else (except the eyes) are crossed that I'm right!

In the meantime, I've killed off incidental characters and the main villain, so I'm doing okay. :)

Who was it who didn't have an ending? That makes 2 of us but I have a couple in mind. :):)

Jules.
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"I'm in the middle of 15 things, all of them annoying." - Claudia Christian, B5, Season 1 - J. Michael Strazinski

Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Who within our region has kids?

Rhiannon Brid — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:20:16 +0000

I'm thinking for next year, assuming there's interest, of offering up my own place for a "Child Friendly Write In" type option...

Seeings as I haven't been able to get to a single write in so far this year, due to in the main my kids and a husband who works weekends...

And if I am the only North Perthians who has children, I think I may cry.

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2005, 2006, 2007 - WON
2008 - FAILED
2009 § The Sidereal Rose
http://thesiderealrose.blogspot.com/

Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Finally figured out my ending!

sweet_d — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:51:06 +0000

And okay, it's just in summary form right now, but I can't tell you how good it feels to have it all storyboarded in my mind (and on screen, if we want to be technical)! Now all I have to do, is take the time to write it all out properly, and in 1st person.

Hmm, I feel some procrastination coming on.... lol I have had the urge to go back to the beginning and start reading over the story from the start. Maybe then when I reach the end for a second time, I'll have the proper momentum to flesh it out properly. And since none of you can reach through the computer and stop me, I'm going to keep thinking that it's a good idea :)

Dani
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Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Yay!

Rhiannon Brid — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 11:40:17 +0000

Okay, well just minutes ago I figured out what to do with chapters of writing that I'd written on this novel and essentially abandoned, as words that were solely written for the sake of word count only, but would eventually be scrapped and not used in the overall story. I had toyed with the idea of adjusting them to fit in with the current direction that my story as since taken.... but it didn't feel quite right.

Then it came to me. I have a perfectly usable portal in my world that was the portal that brought all of my original characters including Morgaine le Faye to Ynys Pryd in the first place. So playing on that idea, I've decided to perhaps make it or other portals have the ability to transport people (or just Morgaine le Faye, for the simple fact that she missed 100 years in the human world) back in time.

I know, it's probably very cliche'd, but I think it might work, in this particular story, quite well.

And given the new direction that my novel is going it will bring up the word count on the novel that I'm hoping to have read, by whoever wants to read it.

Surprisingly, I'm quite OCD when it comes to sharing my work. It's got to at least make sense, and be worth reading. Hence the multitude of documents that currently clutter my desktop. One is the overall "NanoNovel" 74+k and the others are something of a jigsaw puzzle.

4k words a day until I reach my "new" 50k goal. I did say originally that if I wrote 5k a day I could accomplish 150k words.

Well now I'm just aiming for somewhere around 120k.... with 9 days left... I know I'm going to fall short but anything is better than nothing, I suppose.... right?

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2005, 2006, 2007 - WON
2008 - FAILED
2009 § The Sidereal Rose
http://thesiderealrose.blogspot.com/

Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

My editing dilemma

kartanym — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:35:20 +0000

Okay, so I'm about a third of the way through my story, and silly me I decide to read over the earlier chapters ... and I find myself editing them as I go.

Now is that a good thing or a bad thing? Should I keep writing to get this done, which is the right thing for Nano per se, and ignore my tendency to change a few things here and there in case I forget to do them later?
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Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Who are you???

thetragicgrasshopper — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:45:43 +0000

Hey guys. The third write-in was today and I'm still having trouble (and I don't think I'm the only one) matching forum names to real faces.

So to solve this problem please post a description of yourself if you've been to any of the write-ins :)

Hello, my name is thetragicgrasshopper on the forum and I am Dan in real life. I'm the tall English guy with the funny hair.

Who are you?
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Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Writing by hand...

Junaberry — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:46:20 +0000

... is seriously crazy!! And I am in such awe of people who write a whole fracking novel by hand such as... JK Rowling and... billions (okay, maybe not billions) of NaNo-ers every year.

Does anyone in Perth write by hand? And do you ever face points as you write when you want to curl up in a ball and cry as your hand weeps with agony and exhaustion?
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2007: Waddle 118K
2008: Silent Letters 63K

Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Write-ins the weekend of 21st and 22nd

chaosmanor — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:09:52 +0000

Hi everyone, I'm baaack!

For this weekend, I thought I'd run two write-ins, on both Saturday and Sunday. (And, assuming that doesn't lead to some kind of bookstore meltdown, I'll do the same again next weekend.)

So, we're on for:

Saturday 1pm-4.30pm

and

Sunday 1pm- 4.30pm

Fantastic Planet bookstore, Shafto Lane, Perth (between Hay and Murray Sts, near Cloisters Square).

Bring along your laptops, snacks, pens and paper. And some words.

Elaine
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Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Im BACK!

erinna — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:02:19 +0000

FINALLY

Ive been trying to access the site for a good 2 weeks... sure it mightve been a method by the novelling faeries to get me to focus on my novel, but it was cruel!

So my writing has actually progressed a little more than what my stats say... well, MY graph looks only slightly better.

I sat down and wrote a good 5000 words today in one sitting, so Im only 13000 words behind where I should be, but Im determined to catch up!

No real point to this post, just touching base, saying hi, and no, I havent been abducted by iphone apps or given up...

hows everyone going? :)
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~~
Im a photographer, not a novelist... what have I let myself in for?!
~~

Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Dialogue or description?

Eemu — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:05:52 +0000

So I was listening to some of you guys talk at the write-in yesterday (hey, I'm a writer - I can't help but eavesdrop other people's conversations! It's genetic!) about finding dialogue really easy to write and description much more difficult, or vice versa. Me, I'm definitely a dialoguer - pretty much the only description I write is what the people are doing while they're talking. I should get into scripts, I think.

Anyway, what about you all, dialogue or description? Or, are you actually a well-balanced freak of nature who can do both?

Amy
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Nanowrimo. There is no substitute for quantity.

Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Mwhahahahahahahahaha I'm evil EVIL

Lochie — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:33:28 +0000

Oh god, Oh god, I'm a monster, an unstoppable, callous, evil fiend.

I just killed a character.

One that I really, really thought was awesomecakes too. He was totally going to survive in the outline as well, but you know, got stupid and it was unavoidable really.

I was actually shaking when I wrote it, although that may have something to do with my caffeine intake. Oh Wow. I have an awesome- induced headache.

Lordy. that was fun, Next up - I think I'm killing the MCs best friend. OH THE AGONY

Wow., I'm still all adrenaliny as I write this. I think I have descended into madness. I keep having panicked thought on bringing him back ala barbossa but it kinda works oh so sweetly that he dies. But how will they find out about all his secrets!!! NO. I can't take it back and he's gonnnnne. *despairs / gets over it and cackles in glee*

Anyone else had to kill off a much loved character? Am I acting like a total lunatic? Are 5 coffees too much?

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- Ness -

Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Unofficial meet-up?

climbing bean — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:33:11 +0000

Hi all,
Despite my best efforts, I'm not going to be able to make it any of this year's write-ins, and I was wondering if anyone would be interested in meeting up somewhere else, on a different day? Namely this/next Friday, because it's the only time I have free :) I know that narrows it down a little(!) but thought it might be worth a shot. Was thinking somewhere NOR, but am happy to travel as far as, say, Leederville, north to Joondalup, or somewhere in between, if that would make things easier.

I'm not getting my hopes up, but let me know if you're interested :)

Cheers,
Bec
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Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

No... this is not good, not at all :(

Rhiannon Brid — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:35:58 +0000

You know that lovely 5k per day thing I had going? Well seems I reach 50k and it got zapped. My story has fallen into a heap, with major plot holes... like my MC to be Morwenna Nadahl is going to reach maturity in about 16 years... and I invisioned her in a school setting, in the midst of a war, and at the very end being crowned as a Queen.........

BUT.... currently at the time of her birth my world is just inhabited with faerie... there are no other human or semi human people for her to go to school with.... in the rush of November 1st and the ever constant evolving my plot did... I literally shot myself in the foot.

So basically, I'm thinking of totally screwing with all that I have written. Making Morwenna true parentage unknown. And maybe having the Deities mess with the Sidhe, and glamour one of the Goddesses into thinking it was Morgaine.... or.... alternatively Morgaine gets gifted with immortality curtesy of sleeping with a Sidhe knight.... thus I can move the timeline beginning with Morwenna's birth.... a good 50 or so years into the future compared to where it is now.... okay thinking on the fly. I like it.

Enjoy the random-ness that is me... now if only I could find the desire to write. Been in a little bit of an emotional slump today and yesterday and I should be up around 60k at the absolute minimum....

Oooh.... no .... wait.... Morgaine get's pregnant by a Sidhe... in their plane of existance, which obviously moves faster than the mortal plane... and turns out returning 50 years in the future.... oooh even better....

Damn story.... tis evil. Least it's the same over all plot... but all these minor changes are doing my head in.

And if anybody actually reads and responds... I thank you.
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2005, 2006, 2007 - WON
2008 - FAILED
2009 § The Sidereal Rose
http://thesiderealrose.blogspot.com/

Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Palindrome!

Lochie — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:37:13 +0000

I stopped writing for a coffee break and just went to update when i notice i had a palindrome!
13031
oh the excitement i felt!

ok time to kill it and get a bigger number !

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- Ness -

Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Really really hate my story....

Rhiannon Brid — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:07:11 +0000

.... anybody else?..... [be warned it's a bit of a long... err .... rant]

I wrote the obligatory 50k words, a Prequel if you will. I hate it. The only usable peice from it was the prologue. Which I've re-written about 3 times, so it barely resembles the first attempt, with the exception of the first line. I have an idea, but I think like this years outline, it's suffering, because I can't get the order of Chapter's right.

My narrator/minor character has been alive long enough to know practically the entire history of the world of Ynys Pryd, first hand. I don't know much about him other than the fact that he's a weasel and his name is Bran. So at present I have no other explaination for his long lifespan, other than he's known for a while that he was destined to be the familiar of a witch named Morwenna. Add to that I have 5 known species of faerie and 1 unknown species as well as the human/witch royalty.

Basically, I'm looking at having it rotate every four times. Bran. Morwenna. Sidhe. Human... the "lessor faerie" as I call them don't really have a voice just yet, in this particular novel they're largely in the background.

My main character is a essentially mortal witch named Morwenna Nadal up until her 16th birthday she lived with as a sort of foster child to a mermaid named Lyris Nadal. (mermaids can walk on land in my world) She knew nothing of her real human heritage until the day when her mother sent for her. She's off to school in the human world, in the Province of Fellslea. It's a school something akin to Year 11/12 and University.

There's supposed to be a war. Morwenna is supposed to suddenly come into her own magic wise and throw off and defeat those who are sent to kill her on account for who and what she is. Child of Morgaine le Faye and a Sidhe Knight named Lamorak. The humans have had a bitter fued with the Sidhe for 116 years. Practically as long as Morgaine le Faye has been missing. Oh and to top things off, Morwenna, is Mordred's half sister and should have been born in 539 as opposed to 639, but Morgaine le Faye spent a little too long in the Realm of Faerie. A hundred years by human count.

Or at least that's my story the way I see it. Hubby has other ideas. And yeah I know, probably should just go with my own vision, but he doesn't like the fact that I'm inserting the mythical Morgaine le Faye and Mordred into my novel. He questioned a few other things, which actually made sense, but still, it's fantasy... does Morgaine le Faye have to be limited to the Arthurian Legends. I happen to think this kind of aloft mysterious approach to Morgaine could work... of course I am possibly looking at having her be the Headmistress of the School..... of course there's also the other angle, I could take. Have her written up in the history books, as the "real Morgaine le Faye".... and have her poke fun and say that the one in the book and she are two completely different people. Or alternatively the Unseelie Sidhe succeed in re-capturing her... after all don't the real legends state that she may have been part faerie. What better way than to have her return (unwillingly) to those who she was born from... at least in part. Human father. Oooh....

.....

I always find it interesting, that I start with a simple rant, that turns into a rant about my novel, which turns into productive writing. Once again, Thanks, if any of you Perthian's got to the end. Mighty helpful.
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2005, 2006, 2007 - WON
2008 - FAILED
2009 § The Sidereal Rose
http://thesiderealrose.blogspot.com/

Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

I just wrote something I loved

Lochie — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 12:04:13 +0000

Mostly, over the past few days, when I happen to catch what I have just written, I cringe. Some of it's OK. But most of it is either too overly expositiony, or too this-is-something-I-need-to-expand-later,-make-it-sound-vague-and-important-now or very characterless dialogue - a lot of characters dialogue are boring information dumps, or repetitive bad bad writing. But today, today my two MCs just had a conversation that ... well they actually had one that wasn't a plot dump or there to boost my words. They talked. And they very quietly don't hate each other any more, and this time I believed it. And it was awesome.
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- Ness -

Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Who likes chocolate brownies?

thorhammer — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:05:30 +0000

I was thinking of making some to bring to the write-in tomorrow . . . a show of hands?

\m/ Kat
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Banner thanks to AmaiRose
Sources:
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Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Cameos?

cassie_andra_29 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:36:19 +0000

Has anyone else started putting their friends in with convenient cameo appearances?
Tonight I have included my first for this novel with the brief mention of someone, and a planned appearance of said person later. My sisters have made appearances in previous writings also.

But I have noticed while friends and family get semi-anonymous cameos, people I don't like usually become thinly-veiled imitations of characters I don't like. Probably have to be careful with that.

And would it be extremely self-indulgent to give myself a cameo?

Cas
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Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Might be coming to tomorrow's write in...

Rhiannon Brid — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:20:23 +0000

Well I know I am kid free tomorrow. Actually I had no say in the matter. I was told my in-laws were having the kids.

So depending on what hubby plans on doing with his Sunday, depends on whether or not we have plans earlier than dinner and a movie. If that's the case, then I'm looking to be in the city for the write in.

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2005, 2006, 2007 - WON
2008 - FAILED
2009 § The Sidereal Rose
http://thesiderealrose.blogspot.com/

Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Post exam daze

Litrix — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:42:59 +0000

Okay, so after five days of cramming Environmental Management and Sustainability into my head (I even learnt , I had my exam and now I'm freeeeeee!!

Except now whenever I sit down to write, my mind wanders horribly and I end up watching the goddamn Batman. Which is awesome, but not really helpful if you're trying to reach 50k.

It doesn't help looking at all these people with 40k word counts while I'm at 4k.

I feel like I've just finished one major project, so I'm struggling getting back into the whole writing grove (though I have gotten a fair number of words done at both write-ins). Motivation would be much appreciated!

Anyone else in the same post exams boat? Are you in a daze, or are you writing furiously?

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"If you want total security, go to prison. There you're fed, clothed, given medical care and so on. The only thing lacking is freedom."
Dwight Eisenhower

Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Alright guys.....!

Rhiannon Brid — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:38:54 +0000

... here's what I'm proposing....

We get our butt's into gear and regain our lead. We still have 18 days of NaNoWriMo left after all. It is still possible. :)
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2005, 2006, 2007 - WON
2008 - FAILED
2009 § The Sidereal Rose
http://thesiderealrose.blogspot.com/

Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Note to self: do not leave keyboard within the baby's reach...

climbing bean — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:16:19 +0000

At the very least she might have added to my word count, but it looks like she just writes straight code:

Quote:

0000000000000000100000000000000011110.0..0011========================000000===================./
00000000.

I should be just grateful she didn't delete anything, I guess!
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Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

35k roller coaster?

Eemu — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:00:20 +0000

Apparently once you get to 35k, it's like a roller coaster ride, where the words come easily and you just know you're going to finish. Roller coaster ride my arse. This happens every year - I get to 35k, and I think - there is no way I have 15k worth of story left. This thing is going to be over in the next ten.

It should be okay, I have a roadtrip lined up for my characters if they can't get it together to extend the plot for another 15k, but still - how do realproper authors write such long books anyway?

Off to add pages of boring and unnecessary descriptions,

Amy
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Nanowrimo. There is no substitute for quantity.

Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Hey we are Soo close to a Million words!

Lois Clare — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:20:32 +0000

I have a thousand to do tonight can we make it a million ???
Calling all muses to help Neo and other plot locked NaNo's of North Perth....
Write Write!
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Lois Clare
First Timer Novelling

Australia & New Zealand :: Perth :: North

Character twists*

Eemu — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:09:09 +0000

*a.k.a. Stuff What You Didn't Know About Your MC And Just Found Out Now

As I was writing today, I discovered that my MC a) loves history (of which I know very little! Why couldn't she be interested in something I don't need to research?), b) will argue her way out of taking the blame for anything, and c) has no actual friends.

(These things are not necessarily related!)

Anyone else want to share any character/plot twists? I know it's only day three, but that's time enough for those sneaky buggers to get their own way already, I reckon :D

Amy

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Nanowrimo. There is no substitute for quantity.