Hello, writerlings! How goes NaNoWriMo?
Are you still alive??? Have you fallen into any plot holes and broken a leg or two? Are you ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE with your current work-in-progress? I obviously expect all updates, but first — let’s get to the questions for this month’s round of Beautiful Books! Also you can check out October’s prep questions and still do them if you want.
We’re focusing on a bit of an “update” on your novel. We want to know if you’re working hard or if your book is eating your soul. Do your family still remember who you are? Is your wordcount on track? It’s time to spill your guts and, you know, procrastinate novelling by giving us a blogging update.
May the words be EVE RIN YOUR FAVOUR. And may you be as cute as this cat whilst typing. But seriously? I doubt it. I mean, look at this cutie. You can’t compete with that.
Just like every year, we’re giving our monthly link up “Beautiful People” a small rest so we can focus on “Beautiful Books”. (You can see last year’s Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 linkups.) Sky and I host Beautiful Books so we can focus on our NaNoWriMo projects. The format is the same as Beautiful People. We’ll post 10 questions to answer about your WiP — aka your beautiful book. Answer the questions in a blog post of your own and then come back here to link up! Don’t forget to grab the blog button and link to this post.
NOTE: You can do it for ANY novel! You do not need to be doing NaNo to join in.
DON’T FORGET TO TAKE THE BUTTON!
Or link to this page so anyone can join in!
- Overall, how is your mental state, and how is your novel going?
- What’s your first sentence (or paragraph)?
- Who’s your current favourite character in your novel?
- What do you love about your novel so far?
- Have you made any hilarious typos or other mistakes?
- What is your favourite to write: beginning, middle, or end — and why?
- What are your writing habits? Is there a specific snack you eat? Do you listen to music? What time of day do you write best? Feel free to show us a picture of your writing space!
- How private are you about your novel while you’re writing? Do you need a cheer squad or do you work alone (like, ahem, Batman)?
- What keeps you writing even when it’s hard?
- What are your top 3 pieces of writing advice?
I haven’t written anything *yet* but I’m doing lots of research about technical theatre. And then I accidentaly started watching a webseries and it distracted me. However, I killed some of my plans for this weekend, so I’ll have lots of time to write, and I’m really excited, even though I’m not really doing NaNo. I hope everyone’s books are wonderful! I am writing some poetry right now, though , and that’s exciting. Thanks for beautiful books!
Shanti recently posted…The Bookish Planet: The Paranormal City
Is someone mildly procrastinating here, Shanti? 😉 😉 BUT YAY FOR A WEEKEND OF WRITING!! I hope it goes well!
I have shocked myself in the last three days. 15k down. I’m basically a third of the way through. HOW??!!! I honestly have no clue how in the world I’m doing this. But it’s great.
And I’ve had a few of the most hilarious word wars ever. We named them the ‘wacky word wars’. We’ve done them typing with our toes, our knuckles and our noses so far xD And it’s great because even though we could’ve written heaps more in that amount of time if we did it normally, that way is a hilarious break for mostly laughing. (particularly when my mum walked into the bedroom to find me typing with my nose)
Jane Maree recently posted…How Come Editing is So Hard?
WOoooow, that is AMAZING, Jane!! Congrats on your speedy skills.😊 And I hope you keep up the awesome!! Cake? Plenty of cake. Must keep your writerly energy up. #sensible
Typing with your nose?!??! OKAY THAT’S HILARIOUS FOR SURE.
Yay! These are awesome questions; I can’t wait to do them. 😀
Safe-House is going surprisingly well. Everybody kind of hates everybody else, and I have a character a little too obsessed with sticky steam buns, but hey, the random conversations count toward word-counts. I’m really enjoying myself though. Hopefully I won’t get stuck in a rut when the first person dies, because I haven’t really figured out much regarding that. XD
Melissa @ Quill Pen Writer recently posted…A Little NaNo Inspiration
Omg random food-orientated conversations? That sounds like my book.😂 I swear I have a whole scene about potatoes and I don’t even know what’s going on there. EDITING IS GOING TO BE FUN. *moves planets to get away from own book*
That is endlessly great that you’re enjoying yourself though!! YAYYYY!!! (And good luck killing characters.😜)
I love all the linkups you do every month and I am doing NaNo so will definitely do this!! Currently I am ahead of my word count (of yesterday since I will write later today) so it feels amazing🌟😉
Prabhleen recently posted…TOP TEN TUESDAY- FT. 10 BOOKS I WANT TO READ IN A BOOK CLUB 🙂
oh huzzah!! I’m super glad you like them!!🎉 And that’s absolutely wonderful to be ahead of the word count! CAKE FOR YOU.
so…. I decided not to participate in NaNoWriMo after all!
irena_bookdustmagic recently posted…Snowflakes and Christmas Cakes: Book Review + Giveaway (Blog Tour)
Aww, sadness! But you have to do what’s right for you. *nods*
My progress is going a little slower than expected (people keep trying to add appointments to my calendar – go away). But bit by bit I’m able to add something every day. I wrote a lot more last month (in practice for daily word counts, and to refine my outline/draft) than I hoped to, so that gave me a boost, helped me remember that it is possible.
I’ll be posting my answers soon-ish. Assuming nothing explodes in the meantime.
Agh to those kind of humans who wish to interrupt us. *pours glitter in their hair so they’ll be sorry* I confess to being a bit of a dragon if someone tries to interrupt me while writing.😂 Anyway here is ALL THE CAKE FOR YOU and I hope your book is behaving nicely!!
And I love the “assuming nothing explodes in the meantime” because that makes me laugh.😂😂
😀 😀
Glitter in hair is a really good deterrent. I’ll have to remember that. And it’s always good to have a dragon on your side when writing.
I’ve written around 4000 words, so I’m ‘on track’. I’m not particularly happy with the story right now though. I got the voice of the MC down after a few restarts, but the depth and emotion is lacking. I may go over it Saturday, ignoring the daily word count and just focusing on adding more depth (which may bring me up to that day’s word count without even trying). *helps self to cake even though I prefer ice cream* There. Now I’m ready to tackle today. 😀
I don’t remember seeing what you’re working on, Hope. It sounds like you’re going better than me. I’ve got lot’s of words, but I feel like I’ve forgotten how to write narrative properly and I’ve got so much junk. Subplots are slipping in and out, everything is disjointed, hardly any of my characters have depth and all the intrigue and complex emotion in my head are not getting onto the paper. But onward we must go, I mean write.
Anna Brie recently posted…11 Things I love about Lady Dragon, Tela Du : Book Review
That’s because it, umm, kind of a secret (which will be revealed in my newsletter tomorrow). I say kind of, because if someone is stalking me closely they probably would have figured it out… 😉 My MC has hardly any depth, the emotions are bland, and the descriptions are almost nonexistent. *wails* The ‘good’ news is that I’m figuring out what I should be writing a scene after writing it, which means I’ll be busy Saturday and will probably exceed my word count just by adding in all the things I want to. 😀
I totally get that! My first half of my novel was pitiful. *wails* Mostly because my protagonist felt too similar to someone else I’d written. I don’t go back though, ONLY FORWARD FOR NANO! I will be editing quite severely.😂 I hope you get into a comfortable groove soon!
YES. CAKE IS NEEDED OVER HERE. because no, my book is not going as expected. i’ve only written 900 words in four days! aaauuuuggghhh! *cries* you know, i should work on that…NO! I CAN’T ! (that cat is sooooo adorable. i want it. it will write my book for me.) i’ve been writing without the burden of pharagraghs, but I do want to share the first sentance….
“Remember, Allie. Don’t say anything, just watch. and most importantly, listen. I will be quizzing you later.” Master Shiri’s voice was calm and firm, like always.
one sentance! no more! XD
Most crazily, ~Olive
Olive recently posted…a bunch of pictures of trees (and water. and more trees.)
*GIVES YOU ALL THE MOTIVATING CAKE* COME ON, OLIVE, YOU GOT THIS. GET THEE TO YOUR WRITING. 😉 😂 (But seriously cute animals are just the bane of my writing career. My dog keeps sitting next to me and putting his paw on my knee and looking pathetic. What am I supposed to do except pat him??? I’m not a monster? *tosses WIP to the wind*)
That is a very intriguing first sentence!🎉
*stuffs cake in mouth* mm fmm. i oht ith!
*swallows* awww, pet your doggy for me! 🙂 <3
Most crazily, ~Olive
Olive recently posted…just a real quick anouncement
I think maybe I should do this… (Paraphrased from Emmet in the Lego Movie)
Yeah! I should!! I ain’t doing NaNo, but still!
Oh I can’t WAIT for an update on your novel!!!! I AM IN A FRENZY OF EXCITEMENT!!!!!!!!!! Are you gonna post on it soon?!?!?!?
E recently posted…In which I cheat, because A of GG W was quite a while ago now…
OH DEFINITELY DO IT, E!! You don’t have to be doing NaNo!! These questions are fun for any part of the writing life, right?!
*whispers* I’m not entirely sure I will be doing a post on this book.😂 I’ll see!!
ASDFGHJKLASDFGHJKL!!!!! Cait, my brain is fried. But I must keep going! Congrats on your NaNo, I see you are super farrrrrrrrrrrrr. I am like 2,000 words in and feel like I should have planned more. I take plenty of breaks thought to look at my beautiful Pinterest board. Please give me the cake to go on.
HERE IS ALL THE CAKE FOR YOU. YOU CAN DO THIS LEAH! I BELIEVE IN YOU!! *flings confetti* I always waaay overplan, but this time I actually told myself not to freak out and make 938539 extra scenes.😂 So my book is smaller than usual, but hey. Small books = less editing. Definite win.
Oooh it’s going moderately well xDD I’m keeping on track with my word count easily so I’m upping my daily goal! However, I have completely strayed from my outline and it’s only day 3 help meeeeeeeee
But I created this really cool grandpa for my main character! aka, he’s a cursing sailor who bakes her pavlova so win=win
Congrats on completing your novel!!! What is your favourite flavour of cake?? let me be your lifetime supplier. You are my #inspiration <3
YAAAAAS for keeping up your word goal! GOOD ON YOU!! And I hear you with the outline straying. Omg. I totally went off in one scene and had to reshuffle things majorly…but hopefully it works? If not. EDITING. And omg a cursing baker = amazingness. 💕
(I love chocolate brownie cheesecake.😍 What’s your favourite flavour?)
These question look really fun. I got almost 8,000 written in the first three days. The largest amount on Wednesday. And for the first time since I considered attempting NaNo, I think I can actually make it.
That’s if my job application doesn’t turn into anything this month and I rather hope it will.
I’m trying to let life go on usual because my family wouldn’t be happy if I disappeared for a few weeks. But my life doesn’t have that much filling it up at the moment. I want to do some sewing, but I’ll make that a reward for getting my daily quota finished. Speaking of that, I haven’t started yet today. It’d be nice to get some done before 9 am for a change.
I’ll see if my pocket friend in Texas want’s to word war sometime later.
Oh that’s AMAZING news, Anna!! *flings confetti at you* And that’s totally fair that you don’t hibernate while you write…all our processes are different right?! And I love the term “pocket friend”.😂
I haven’t written anything yet because I have so much homework & and am swamped with doing a show at school through Sunday. If I ever have time to actually do NaNo, I’m going to have to do A LOT of catch up!
Eeep, I hope you find some time soon! But good luck with school and homework. *sends encouraging cake*
Thank you! I wish I could actually eat some! Haven’t had time 🙁
NaNo’s going pretty good for me! I’m trying not to be too worried about running into dead ends and ruts and just focus on WRITING for right now. I think my story’s going along pretty well; I’m nearing 8k, and I’m enjoying getting to know these characters. It’s definitely a very rough first draft, but I still feel pretty good about it. And I’m excited about getting to the really good parts. 😀
oh that is SUCH a good way to approach NaNo!! Honestly mine is a complete mess.😂 But that’s what editing and rewrites are for! 1st drafts are just for getting it down on paper. *nods* YAY FOR 8K!!
Ooh! A new Beautiful Books!! Yay!! I might just have to participate!
As for my novel, I’m currently a little bit over 8k down, so I’m feeling pretty good about my word count! I’m also totally in love with my story, even though I’ve already hit a few MINOR snags. (They’re totally minor. Totally.) But those can be fixed in the editing phase, so I’m just focusing on writing right now.
(I kind of accidentally forgot to check my outline and veered completely off course. Now one of my MC’s has a disease and is dying. Oops.)
Kenzie recently posted…NaNoWriMo Day One: The Race Begins
OH I hope you do!! *flings confetti* AND YAY FOR 8K THAT IS AMAZING. And that’s the best feeling when you’re in love with it right?!? Mine has been rough but I see the potential for edits.😂 So that’s encouraging at least!! First drafts are definitely for just getting it written, not perfect. *nods*
And omg that is quite the outline deviation.😂
Haha, ikr? I’m hoping she can find a cure… Slightly doubtful…
Kenzie recently posted…NaNoWriMo Week 2: Murders, Impending Death, and Vanilla Pudding
AHHHH NANO. *throws confetti in the air and dances in it* Oh man, I am just REALLY loving it so far! I shocked myself by writing 10k the first day, and now I’m already up to 20k. O.o Just…WHAT EVEN, MARY???? HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE.
My book is coming along…pretty well. I can already sense there is going to be a lot of editing. 😂 Because gosh, I didn’t plot anything out so I am literally just pantsing this thing. But hey, a random cake battle broke out and my characters somehow ended up on an island of squirrels??? So I’d say it’s a success. 😂
The only things that have kept me alive are doing furious word sprints with my friends in order to try to stay ahead of them all (#competitive) and inhaling alllllll the sugar. GIMME ALL THE CANDY, PEOPLE.
I’ll hopefully be doing this edition of Beautiful Books over the weekend! Thanks so much for all the fantabulous questions. *twirls*
MARY! YOU WRITING MACHINE. ALL THE CAKE FOR YOU THAT IS AMAZING.🎉🎉 And I’m the same with mine, haha….editing? SO MUCH EDITING. *burns book with holy fire* But I still like it enough to know I’ll be editing at some point. But hey, first drafts are just about getting it written, not perfect, right?! And random cake battles?! WHAT IS THIS GLORIOUSNESS.
Sadly, my blog is down (and has been for almost three week, ask me how mad I am) so I’m just going to answer the questions quickly here!
Overall, how is your mental state, and how is your novel going?
This is my first time doing NaNo so I think I’m doing pretty good so far. I’m not a writer by a long shot but I love challenges.
What’s your first sentence (or paragraph)?
“Break ups are hard.”
Who’s your current favourite character in your novel?
My main character, Ori. She’s everything I wish I could be.
What do you love about your novel so far?
Just the idea that I”M WRITING A NOVEL. What?!
Have you made any hilarious typos or other mistakes?
Nothing hilarious, sadly. Just wait.
What is your favourite to write: beginning, middle, or end — and why?
I’m starting at the begging. Just because I have no plans other than to see where this goes.
What are your writing habits? Is there a specific snack you eat? Do you listen to music? What time of day do you write best?
This isn’t one question! No habits for me! Sometimes I listening to music but I’ve mostly been writing with a buddy!
How private are you about your novel while you’re writing? Do you need a cheer squad or do you work alone (like, ahem, Batman)?
I need lots of cheer! It’s fun having people who are doing the same thing as you.
What keeps you writing even when it’s hard?
The idea of completing a challenge and saying I did it!
What are your top 3 pieces of writing advice?
Just go for it!
Omg that’s terrible about your blog. D: I hope it gets fixed really soon!
And yay for that writing advice. 😉 It is the best there is. And double-yay for your first NaNo! Is this your first novel too? I HOPE IT TURNS OUT MAGNIFICENTLY. And that you have tons of fun!🎉
How is your mental state? I’m not crying over here, I swear. My eyes are just leaking moisture. Eyes do that. Really they do. Seriously though, this story is not working for me and I REALLY needed it to. I NEED to write something that isn’t a short story by the end of the year. …Can I have some cake?
I’m a few days behind (because essays), but I’m going to be writing all tomorrow night (literally, I’m going to a thing) so I’m sure I can make it up. The only question left is whether I should switch to something else whilst there’s still time to catch up, or keep pushing and see if something magically falls into place.
Eyes totally just leak moisture spontaneously sometimes. Like especially if they’re forced to look at their own writing. *nods* My eyes sometimes just, ya know, leak. I think it doesn’t mean anything.
*whispers* My story was being AWFUL too. But push on!! It feels good to finish even if it doesn’t turn out like you wanted. HAVE ALL THE CAKE. YOU CAN DO IT! There is editing and rewriting. Honestly my last 20K are the only thing I’m happy with.😂 I’m just pretending the first 40K is going to magically …. disappear?
My current word count on Gearbound is 14, 315. Just the bare bones of story, luckily.
I came up with this great plot twist, but I’m trouble writing it. *cries into a vat of chocolate*
But how’s that amazing Goldilocks retelling of yours coming along?
Mironiel Blokzyl recently posted…Beautiful Books || ~Novel Update~
Ooh, no, naughty plot twist for not being obedient!! *bribes it with cake to do what you want it to do* And I…finished NaNo.😂 I KNOW. Don’t hate me. hehe. I HOPE GEARBOUND KEEPS GOING WELL!!
Ohmygoodness, Cait, how did you get so awesome anyway???
Congratulations on winning NaNo IN THREE DAYS!!!!
Whut even…???
This is me: *watches Cait write 22,000 words each day* *curls up in a corner to die of shame and sadness*
I mean, you also really motivated me because I’m competitive??? But school… So I couldn’t come anywhere close.
Therefore I am still plodding…
Some of my other buddies were the same way, though to a lesser degree… Like they’re halfway right now??? HOW???
Kate Marie recently posted…The NaNo Diaries: My Beauty
Nooooo, don’t curl up and die. *revives you with cake* HEY WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT WRITING PROCESSES!! *nods* And also I’m super competitive…with myself hahahha. So like eventually I’ll finish a book before I start. Clearly goals.
I’m sure you’re doing GREAT. School is important too!!
Na-No! Na-No! Na-No! Na-No! Na-No! Na-No! Na-No! Na-No!
It’s that time of year and I AM SO EXCITED!!! Even if some of my favorite bloggers are suddenly offline. 🙁 Still, the words are actually working and it is awesome to talk about it! Plus, it’s fun to see how everyone else is doing this most wonderful time of the year.
Elisabeth Wheatley recently posted…Beautiful Books 2016 ~ Novel Update
Hehe, having lots of people offline is a downside that’s for sure.😂 I keep going to bug my friends and then realise…no wait. They’re writing. I SHOULD LEAVE THEM IN PEACE.😂 hehe. But NaNo funness is worth it. I’m glad the words are working for you!! *feeds the words cake so they continue behaving*
Oooh! These were questions I could actually answer! 🙂 Yay!
S. J. Pajonas recently posted…NaNoWriMo 2016 – Update – Week 1
Yay I’m glad you like them!
Oh, Cait!!!!!!!!!! I am finally doing it I actually have my own blog now! This is my very first tag on it. 🙂 Although, unfortunately, I now go by Belle. Bye bye, Isi! 😛 But, it’s all in the game. 🙂
And also, is it allowed that I am putting my link just for this but I am doing both BB tags…?
Oh HI
ISIBELLE ANNE. Congrats on your new blog!! 🎉 I shall come visit directly. (And yes it’s totally okay to link up both tags here.😊)I’m so excited that I am having EVEN MORE FUN writing my dark Peter Pan retelling than I initially thought. Why, just today I wrote a MAGNIFICENT scene involving a rather rude and evil mermaid that I AM VERY PROUD OF. Also I passed go, like twice. JK but I am at 16.5K now!! GO ME. (But obviously go you more because you are the Dragon Queen of course).
Esther @ Queen of Fantasy recently posted…Update on my Meltdowns / AKA #NaNoWriMo Update
AHHH THIS IS GLORIOUS, ESTHER, I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!! I love that moment when a book is even better than anticipated.😍 Writing can be so fun. AFDasdjkfalds SO MUCH FUN.
It so iiiiiis! I just want to write all the things but my poor brain can’t keep upppp D:
YES I HAVE VISITED EVERY SINGLE POST AND I AM SO PROUD OF ME.
Elisabeth Wheatley recently posted…Beautiful Books 2016 ~ Novel Update
WOAH. YOU GET ALL THE CAKE AND THE AWARDS. *applauds wildly* You’re better than me.😂
First time doing NaNo for me! And I’m right on schedule 🙂 loving every step of it 😀😀
That’s awesome news!! AND YAY for being on schedule and having a great time! *gives you cake*
I’ll be back to this after NaNo is over. In fact, next year will be a writing yrear for me with way less ARCs on my review pile! I am going to try and visit people on the linky this weekend and root them on. 🙂
So I started writing a post as soon as the question were up and I finished it today. Within an hour of finishing NaNoWriMo. And I was the person who said she was going to fail. But I didn’t. Turns out that I can write 4,000 words in a day sometimes. Not often, but with plenty of 2,000 word days I can do it without writing much on weekends..
Anna Brie recently posted…Beautiful Books: NaNoWriMo Update!!!
YAYYYY I’M SO GLAD YOU FINISHED!! *breaks out the cake for you* And 4K in one day is awesome. Well done!! 🎉🍰🎉🍰