I RETURN TRIUMPHANT! Yes, humans of the universe, I took a few days off to write a book about dragons for NaNoWriMo, which is also known as National Novel Writing Month, wherein humans glue themselves to their laptop screens for a 30 days and type frantically. 30 days. Yes. I did it in 4 days.
In other news I think I AM BEN FROM TREASURE PLANET.
“Why did you do this vastly crazy thing, Cait?” you’re probably asking.
(Or else you’re shrieking “WHAT EVEN WHY ARGH, CAIT, ARGH,” which is also possible but I shall quiet your hullabaloo by giving you cake. You’re welcome.)
I did it because I wanted to see if I could. The aim was 50,000-words in 5 days, but I’m an overachiever and very competitive with myself…ergo I finished in 4. This post isn’t about bragging on this fact, though. Please. It is not. Writing is kind of like running. You don’t just snap your fingers and — BOOM — you’re a fabulous sprinter. You work for it. This little pineapple squid has been working hard and is mildly pleased with this success. ALTHOUGH MY HANDS ARE TIRED. And afterwards I needed to introvert from my own characters. Alone time. Yes please and thank you.
NaNo is done for me! I’m back to blogging and reading (I can’t seem to multitask these and writing!). And yes, I could write another book this month. But just because I did it fast doesn’t mean it wasn’t as creatively exhausting. I AM EXHAUSTED. I shall quietly hibernate my writing skull until 2016.
Last time I wrote a book, I shared snippets so…you know what? I’M BEING BRAVE AND DOING IT AGAIN.
(And you know what?! I’m still dying at how many likes my tweets were getting in those 4 days! I had 40+ likes per snippet I shared and nearly 200 (!!!) on others. SO JUST WOW. For everyone supporting me, I thank you nine billion percent and give you all the cake of ever. It is so so encouraging!!)
I’m joining in with Snazzy Snippets again! Which is a link up hosted by Emily @ Loony Li
terate and Alyssa @ The Devil Order’s Takeout.
The prompts for this month are:
- A snippet without dialogue
- A snippet featuring a friend/family member of your protagonist.
- A snippet that took FOREVER to write.
(I won’t be doing the last one because I am a very detailed plotter and don’t actually get writers block because of this.)
I blathered on in detail about it here, but for those of you who have an epically bad memory like me, I SHALL REFRESH YOU GLADY.
My NaNoWriMo project is a dragon murder mystery. Set in a Japanese inspired modern fantasy world. It’s about 16-year-old Mo whose family is murdered by an ice dragon. since Mo, himself, is a dragon…he looks seriously suspicious. SO HE RUNS AWAY LIKE A LITTLE IDIOT. Ergo it is a roadtrip with Mo and his little brother and his best friend, Ruby, and their journey to find a killer and avoid capture/death. Shape shifting dragons. Sushi. Unreliable narrations. Prison breaks. MUUUUURDER.
It’s a) my first thriller, and b) my first dragon book, and c) my first time writing a book where 80% of the cast dies. My bad.
Follow Cait’s board WIP Did You Lie About The Dragon? on Pinterest.
…LET’S DO THIS, DESPITE INTENSE SHRIEKING NERVES. The first is my opening sentence.
…it will need copious editing, but I’m really pleased with the first draft! I had fun and there is delicious food and banter and sibling relations and childhood best friends. All the things I like. Excuse me. I must go grin.
This sounds excellent, Cait! I love the snippets so thank you for being brave enough to share. Ruby and Mo have such a great relationship (am I allowed to ship them yet) and this sounds (reads?) funny and intelligent and something I would totally pay 20 dollars for. (If I had 20 dollars. *le sigh*) And also the fact that you wrote a book in four days is a little scary. What? How? Did you have time for eating or sleeping or talking? (I’m guessing not). I’m not doing NaNo, and as a consolation prize (prize? ha) I’m doing homework and going to school. Also learning how to code and music exams. Congratulations and go and have that break you totally deserve. (cake should be involved)
YESSSS. LET US SHIP THEM. Can we call them Ro? Or Moby? THAT IS THE REAL QUESTION. hehe but I’m soooo glad you liked it. I’M LITERALLY FLAILING OUT OF MY BRAIN RIGHT NOW IN RELIEF AND HAPPINESS. EAting = yes. Sleeping = that is for the dead. *flips hair majestically* I had my clones do the boring things so I could just write solidly for 4 days.
Ohhh learning how to code?! THAT IS INTENSE AND AMAZING. *gazes in awe* and good luck with music exams!! I shall be sending you virtual chocolate of encouragement!!
It sounds awesome Cait! 😀 And congrats!
I right behind you with my 30K. ^_^
YOU GOT THIS, BEE. I BELIEVE IN YOU. *sends you extra encouraging chocolate*
Well, that has simultaneously made my day and made me tear my hair out. Four days? FOUR DAYS?!? Nice one, Cait. I think you’ve just done the more or less impossible. 😉 *Sends you virtual brownies* And those snippets were hilarious – I especially liked the first one. 🙂 I firmly believe that, if a line of dialogue goes by without sarcasm, then you’d better go back and edit some in. 😉
There will eventually be dragons in this fantasy series, but not in this novel. I’ve had writer’s block the last couple of days so I’ve only written about 200 words (I’m on par due to a very lucky first couple of days), but I had a breakthrough last night just after I’d gone to bed and got up and wrote a new scene (at gone midnight. Judge me.) so it’s going better now. 😉
*glues your hair back on* But yes I AM STRANGE. But I also had a lot of time to write? Like I wasn’t balancing things…I was JUST writing. So I totally blame that on the ability to write so fast. 😉 And duuuude YES. All lines must have sarcasm. I think there’s about 2% seriousness in this book. Which could be a worry with all the murder going down. *gulps and asks characters if they’re all psychopaths*
I hope your breakthrough is still going strong!! AND YAY FOR MIDNIGHT INSPIRATIONS. 😛
Where (or when) can I buy this book? Like seriously. Tell me wheret to throw my money so I can read it. The whole idea and premiseof this story is super appealing to me! I like the snippet about “coffee order” the best 🙂
Oh, and congrats on finishing story in ONLY 4 days!
AHHAHA I WISH. OMG. BUT THIS MAKES ME SO SO HAPPY> *dances*
OH MY GOSH YOU EXTRAORDINARY, MAGICAL PINEAPPLE, TEACH US YOUR WAYS. Seriously though, Cait, that is amazing! *sprinkles glitter and cupcakes over you* I’m only 15K in and I’m practically at the OMG HOW DO I EVEN WORD ANYMORE so congrats! Your snippets sound so amazing and if you ever need a beta-reader HERE I AM!
*FLAILS LIKE THE MAD PINEAPPLE I AM*
15K IS ALSO AMAZING, THOUGH, KYRA. *SPRINKLES GLITTER ON YOU* I think those first 15K are the hardest!! 😛
Congratulations! This is like, the most insane achievement in all of achievements. I bow before your speedy writery-ness. I’m feeling quite proud because I’ve just surpassed the quarter mark, and normally at this point I’m thousands of words behind – it’s the first time I’ve ever managed to stay slightly ahead of myself.
I can’t wait to read more of your book (we’re gonna read more of your book, right?!) because it sounds like so much fun and it’s such a unique concept! Mo seems awesome, and I think how you’ve written Ruby is hilarious. You’ve got a real talent, and you should definitely keep it up, even if you do need to take the rest of the month to hibernate.
Congratulations again 🙂
OMG BUT CONGRATS TO YOU ON THE QUARTER MARK!! That is insanely excellent. IT IS. Yes, I write fast, but stiiiiill. I’m not really multitasking anything atm. Just writing. 😉 EEEP. I kind of plan to hopefully (maybe?) put some up on wattpad. But it needs so many edits first. EEEEP. I AM SO ENCOURAGED BY THE NICENESS OF THIS COMMENT, THANK YOU, ALYCE.!
WHAT EVEN WHY ARGH, CAIT, ARGH!! (Now give me that cake!) You are AMAZING. Truly.
Anyway, your writing is HILARIOUS and I seriously love Mo and WHY ARE YOU NOT PUBLISHED YET?? Can people not see the ultimate hilarity in your writing?? How can anyone not immediately love that banter?? WHY ARE THESE EVEN QUESTIONS??
50,000 words in four days is, like, inhuman. No, SUPER-HUMAN. I need your super-powers, Cait! And I wanna be your sidekick when you rule the world 😛
I SHALL GIVE YOU CAKE. BECAUSE YOU ARGHED SO NICELY. Hahaha, omg, my own hilariousness is astounding. IDEK WHY I’M NOT PUBLISHED. Ask the publishers about their life decisions. *sighs* XDXD Squee!! But your comment is the nicest of ever. THANK YOU.
Oh my gosh Cait, I loved your snippets. It’s so well written and the sarcasm is on point! Congratulations. Are you going to publish it any time soon?
AWWW THANK YOU, RIMA!! 😀 I’d love to think it’d get published someday. 😉 I’m working on the traditional route sooooo…we’ll see!!
Mo is like my spirit animal because OMG MO I CANNOT RUN FOR MORE THAN 15 SECS EITHER. This is pleasing because I’ve always wanted my spirit animal to be a dragon!
Seriously though, I love the way you write dialogue! I would purchase your book in a heartbeat.
I am sure you broke some kind of Nanowrimo record and all other writers are rolling on the floor in envy of your speed and efficiency XD CONGRATS!! Welcome back to the blogging world, we missed you muchly!
MO IS INCREDIBLE AND DRAGONISH. Who wouldn’t want to be a dragon, amirite?! I’m like 99% sure I am since I love shiny things so much. AJFDKLASD THANK YOU THOUGH. <3 I have a severe addiction to sassy dialogue. Although I promise they're serious...sometimes??? I think. *throws pages looking for serious moments* eH. MAYBE NOT.
CAIT YOU FABULOUS AND AMAZING LADY WRITER. I WILL BUY YOUR DRAFT, NAME THE PRICE!!! These snippets make me want to cry, they are so flipping good I can’t even…
And as for completing it in FOUR DAYS?! FLIP GIRL YOURE AMAZEBALLS. Seriously.
HAHAH OMG, THANK YOUOOOOOU YOU WONDERFUL BEAN. <3 Let's just dream and hope I get published someday, right?! 😛
WOW. That’s all I’ve got to say to that. FOUR DAYS?! HOW did you do that, you must have magical writing superpowers hidden somewhere?! -if you do, please, share them, haha! I absolutely LOVE all of your snippets, I love how you manage to make dialogue flow just like that, it’s so pretty and amazing! I love all the wit and sarcasm and I ship Mo and Ruby, I hope that’s okay! Oh, and I might have a sudden NEED to read your book, so, there’s that!
I’m late on my NaNoWriMo, I’ve only hit the 10K mark today, but I have to say it’s the first time I’m writing that much on a single project, so I guess I’m proud of that. Let’s hope I can finish this thing on time, but, most importantly, that I can write the story I want to write. I feel like it pretty much sucks for now, but well maybe it’ll get better 🙂 Anyways, I’m sorry for the rant, haha, SO happy to have you back on the blog!! 😀
I DON’T EVEN KNOW. I JUST….I JUST AM A BIT IN LOVE WITH WRITING. XDDX Ahh, but thank you, Marie! *flails madly* This totally makes my day. Maybe hopefully I’ll wattpad some of it next year?!?! HOPEFULLY. So much edits to do first…
AHhhh congrats on your 10K!! *sprinkles you with confetti* THAT IS AMAZING AND YOU’RE WELL ON tHE WAY TO THE FINISH LINE NOW. 😀 I think the first 10K can often be the hardest. *nods* And hey, even if the first draft sucks, that’s what rewrites and edits are for, right?!?
Such fun, Cait! Your WIP sounds fabulous. I have a questiong- do you ever get plotters block? Because I am plagued by it. Dragons are awesome, just sayin’, and I’ve loved reading about your researching on goodreads over the last few months. I loved the fifteen seconds snippet 🙂
YES I DO. Omg, I have plotters block right now for an urban fantasy. *growls at it* Usually I get over it but just sitting down and WRITING that outline. I just write whatever comes and if doesn’t come, then I force it and make something else up. xD
Welcome back to the blogging world! 4 days and you’re done with NaNo?! AMAZE!! Congratulations Cait, I’m seriously in awe!!
And YAS to dragons. ALL THE DRAGONS. We definitely need more dragon YA books *nod nod*
I really like Ruby so far hehe, that girl has sass. And I like sassy characters 😛 Thanks for sharing your snippets, loved all of them! 🙂 🙂
yaYYYY IT’S NICE TO BE BACK. *hugs blog* I miss blogging and chatting with everyone. hehe. Aww, but thanks Joy! 😀 I’m so excited about this draft!! It’s probably my most cohesive draft (I mean, it’s still a huge mess…but less of a mess?) and I’ve got big plans for the edits. 😀
OH I’M IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOK ALREADY CAIT <3 You crazy thing, writing a book in four days. You realise you could write like 7 books every month at that rate?
…now that would be insanity.
GO YOU. *waves pom poms*
*SPRINKLES CONFETTI OVER SELF AND DANCES* Omg, 7 books a month…*dies just thinking about it* I also would never blog or speak to my family or leave the house again. XD I worked out that I don’t write fast so much…as just write for HOURS. I’m so behind on all things blogging…STILL. 😛
I love the snippets! They are wonderful and I really want to read your book! It sounds so fun. And bravo at completing it in 4 days! That is insane and amazing. 😉
aFJDALKFSD THANK YOU SARAH!!! *FLAILS WILDLY AND GIVES YOU CAKE*
“Now you sound like a coffee order,” is killing me lol.
But OHMYGOODNESS. Four days?! Did you even stop to eat?! Or sleep?! I hear these things are important. I don’t know if I’ll ever stop freaking out about your writing speed! Congrats on the accomplishment 🙂
AHHH THANKYOU. I AM SO GLAD. XD That’s one of my favourites too. Omg the sass of these two. They’re so unimpressed with each other and it’s adorable. *happy sigh* I DID STOP TO EAT OF COURSE. Sleep. Pfft. Who needs that.
4 days?!?! That is incredible! I’m pretty sure you’ve broken the laws of everything – I’m super amazed.
How long did it take you to plan everything? I like to think I’m a relatively detailed planner but when I come to writing I always get stuck with whole scenes where I don’t know what’s happening.
Do you also write other stuff whilst you’re planning or in between books or is it more all in one go?
Sorry for the questions – I’m just so impressed that I kinda want some of your awesomness to rub off on me 😀
I’ve a friend who did it in 3 days!! Goals for next year maybe? mwhahaha. 😉 BUT SQUEE TAHNK YOU, HELIA. <3 I'M SO ENCOURAGED!! I spent about 2 months planning? But like not INTENSELY planning. Just slowly getting ideas together and writing an outline and doing spots of research. But the idea was maturing for at least 2 months. When I get stuck on scenes I usually just skip it or move onto the next plot point. xD I'M A CHEATER.
I might like plan several books at once, but I only ever write ONE book at a time. My poor tiny brain can't focus on more than that. XD
omg never be sorry for questions!! 😀 I LOVE talking about writing!!
Holy shit! I think… no I’m farely positive you are the fastest living thing alive on this planet! On another note, I’m glad my DRAGONISH LORDSHIP is back. You were terribly missed.
I LOVE THESE SNIPPETS! WHEN AM I GOING TO READ THIS BOOK? I WANT TO READ EVERY HILARIOUS THING YOU WRITE! Truly, you’re awsome!
AJFDKLADS THANK YOU, POULAMI. Although I think I’m not so much as fast as just have time (and stamina?!) to write for hours at a time. XD 😛 Awww, but I’m glad you missed me. *struts around righting the earth since it clearly collapsed in my absence*
JUST TAKE MY MONEY! Just take it! I’ve already seen all these snippets on Twitter, but darn if this recap didn’t just make me want to THROW MY BLOG AND MY MONEY AND MY UNDYING ALLEGIANCE at your story all over again!
I am a silly putty who woke up this morning fed up with her wayward story (Me: Behave! Story: LOL @ YOUR OUTLINE! I AM NOT A TAME LION!) and deleted it. Well, no, I’m not that brave. But I opened a new Scrivener document, structured it, and now I’m about to restart my story and BEAT IT INTO SUBMISSION! Turns out writing high fantasy is HARD, y’all! Who’d have thought? So I went from 15k to 0. I’ve called all my friends to let them know I’ll be unavailable all weekend. I’m about to unhook my internet and HERE WE GO! Goal: catch up by Sunday.
And what gave me the motivation (and the MADNESS) for such an undertaking is, well, CAIT AND HER DRAGONS! On Twitter! Where you were gloriously victorious before any of us even got our bearings and moved out of Act I. All hail the Dragon Queen! Share your magic with us, oh Dragon Queen! We lowly minions sure could use it!
AFJDLKAS THANK YOU, LEXIE. *flails and then collapses* I’m soooo glad you like them. I JUST NEED TO FLAIL FROM THE ROOFTOPS.
Omg, don’t delete anything!! You never know when it might come in handy. *nodS* AGh but starting again must be a little hard. *gives you encouraging chocolate* High fantasy is TOUGH. I wrote a high fantasy in October and omg….it was so intense, my brain felt like mush at the end. I AM HERE HOPING THAT YOU’VE CAUGHT UP AND ARE ON WRITING FIRE!!
So amazing! NaNoWriMo isn’t going to stellar for me considering I started a brand new job the week before it started, and it was only supposed to be part time. Then they fired my boss and decided to make me head of marketing and I don’t know anything and I’m also in graduate school and I’ve been getting home super late at night and nothing has been getting done.
Ugh, life man. Going to keep typing away at it though!
Ohhhh, that WOULD complicate things. XD (Congrats on your new job though!!) And I hope you’re getting some downtime in between all that busyness. xD SOUNDS INTENSE. LIFE. GAWSH.
CAIT!!!! OMG, we are not worthy!! Lol, first off, huge congrats on destroying Nano in 4 days! That’s the boss-est thing I think I’ve ever heard. And these snippets are just..*grabby hands* gimme gimme right now! I want it! I want it now! You’re soooo talented and I can’t wait to see what you do with this! 😀
*DASHES AROUND IN CRAZY CIRCLES AND THROWS CAKE AT EVERYONE* THANK YOU, NICOLETTE. My first draft is a horrid mess mostly, due to writing so fast BUT IT WAS FUN. And I’m glad I can say that I did it in 4 days. 😛
Love your snippets! Also, only four days? Wow! You’re amazing! Your story looks like so much fun and I would die to be able to read it! I just decided to open a NaNoWriMo account but it’s doubtful that I am going to write something. We’ll see 😉
SQUEEEE. THANK YOU MELANIE. Oooh, options are open. 😉 I hope, if you do decide to NaNo, that it’s a fun experience for you. XD
Basically… I was one of those peeps yelling “WHAT ASDFGHJKL CAIT OMG” and I truly believe you must be extermely exhausted! I envy your plotting skills because that is what takes me ages… I’m a bad plotter.
*reads book description* CAIT – 80%?!?!?
*on to snippets* I LOVE THE OPENING. And Mo & Ruby sound as equally as quirky as you are – love it.
Unfortunately, I’m not participating in NaNo this year. Too much on my plate! But I’m slowly (but surely) trying to write my first book 😀
YES I AM A BIT WEARY. AHHA. okay understatment. I collapsed the following day and accomplished about nothing. 😛 But still!! I’m glad I can say that I did it. 😉 ANDA FJDKSALD THANK YOU THIS IS REALLY NICE OF YOU.
Oh! Oh! I hope your book is going well!! And NaNo is kind of at the busiest time of year, right?! 😛
4 days Cait! That is amazing, you’re amazing actually.
Your book sounds amazing, and those snippets are hilarious, you write snark like no other.
I can’t pick a favorite, they are all so good.
😀 You inspire me to step up my writing game.
Awww, thank you, Skye. *GIVES YOU SO MUCH CAKE BECAUSE YOU ARE A NICE BEAN* Snark is my favourite, heheh, it’s hard to tell, I know. 😉 I do have serious moments occasionally, I promise. But mostly…sass. XD
AHHH BEST OF LUCK TO YOUR WRITING TOO!!
OMO Cait those snippets. HELP I AM //IN LOVE// WITH YOUR WRITING kbai
FAJDKFLAD THAT MAKES ME A MILLION PERCENT HAPPY THEN, LISA. <3
HOLY RAVIOLI CAIT HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH. I’m at 15k which is actually a few days ahead of schedule. Because I am also an overachiever and very competitive with myself. But an entire book in four days??!!!! I can’t even imagine writing so much in just four days! *Applause* to you!!! And dragons, awesome. Loved your excerpts! 😀 I’m writing a sci-fi about space pilots and a galactic war. The whole spacecraft piloting part was a complete surprise (I’m a pantser) but I’m loving where my book’s going now, hurrah. But still, four days… holy ravioli.
THAT IS FANTASTIC TOO, THOUGH, MALLORY!! YAY FOR YOUR 15K!! THAT MEANS YOU GET 15 CUPCAKES!! *squishes them in your hair in joy* It did take me 5 days to finish the entire book. 😛 I only had to add 10K more onto the 50-NaNo-thousands though. *nods* And DRAGOOOOONS. They are my favourite. Scifi space pilots?! ZOMG THAT SOUNDS SO. FREAKISHLY. AWESOME.
Argh, it’s amazing. :’) Of course it is. I may have to steal your MS and crit it when I don’t have uni and it’s more edited. 😀
AFJDKLASFD THANK YOU. OMG I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO STEAL AND CRIT IT SOMEDAY. When I beat some editing into it first…
oh I love your humor. Mo and Ruby sound fantastic and fun and hello… dragon murder mystery? >.> I kind of want to read this.
SQUEE, THANK YOU, LILY! 😀 Humour is my favourite to write so I’m glad it’s funny and not just my warped idea of humour. xD
I just adore your snippets, Cait. Mine are either A) sexual, B) sarcastic, C) uber-sexual/highly inapropro, or D) random. So yours are ten times better.
I can’t wait for your little dragon novel to come into my greedy hands!
Hahaha, you make me die laughing, Wren. xD I will desperately hope that someday you get to read this! 😀
Crying because all of your snippets are beautiful. Your dialogue is witty and hilarious, and I would read whatever book you wrote. WHY ARE YOU NOT FREAKING PUBLISHED YET? I am confused..
I am at 29 words.
29 WORDS IS BETTER THAN 0 WORDS. C’MON NOW. YOU KNOW IT’S TRUE. *gives you 29 cupcakes because reasons*
IDEK ASK THE PUBLISHERS. THEY’RE MAKING BAD LIFE DECISIONS BY NOT ALL LINING UP TO BUY MY BOOKS AND GIVE ME MILLIONS.
Gah. Love the snippets!
THANK YOU, ERICA. <3
I’M SMILING SO HARD MY CHEEKS HURT RIGHT NOW!!! THIS SOUNDS SO FUN AND AMUSING AND GREAT, I’M EXCITED!! It’s also made me realize how much banter my own novel is lacking, but that can be fixed after the first draft is complete so I’m not too worried! ☺ Now after reading this, I want to write so I’m gonna go do that. Congratulations on finishing your novel!!!! 😄👏💕
AHHHHHH LET ME JUST FLAIL AND THEN COLLAPSE A MINUTE BECAUSE OMG. SQUEEEEE!!! *runs around in mad circles* And first drafts are allowed to be horrible, right?!?!? 😛 Mine sure is. Omg so much editing next month…
First of all, CONGRATS ON DEFEATING NANOWRIMO!!! That is amazing!!! I am in awe. Second of all, based on your snippets, I would gladly read your book. I love it. I am on day 7 and I have written almost 18,000 words. I guess I am doing pretty well. Honestly, I do feel that this will be the crappiest first draft to ever be written, but we’ll see. At least I am doing it. After I’m done, I will take a much needed break from my characters and the story and then I will edit my little heart out.
AFJDKLAFDS THIS PLEASES ME IMMENSELY. I SHALL JUST SIT HERE ALL PLEASED LIKE. BECAUSE OMG. *FLAILS* Congrats on your 18K THOUGH!!! because that is amazing and you deserve cake, my friend. And hey! First drafts are allowed to be utterly crappy. I know mine is. XD You’re seeing my like tiny tiny moments of proudness amongst all the “omg what did I even write just now” moments. XD
Oh, and this has nothing to do with this post but you are the only person I know who loved the Gone series as much as I did. Did you know that Michael Grant is coming out with a sequel??? It takes place ten years after the Gone finale!! It comes out in 2017. I am so torn on this one. On one hand, I HATED to leave those characters so I am intrigued by a sequel set in the future. On the other hand, the finale was kind of perfect, you know? But I will be reading it for sure!!
ZOMMMMMG I DID NOT KNOW THAT!! AHHH CYNTHIA!! AHHHH!! I NEED TO GET ME TO GOODREADS IMMEDIATELY. OMG. HYPERVENTILATING HERE. But. But one of my favourite characters won’t be there. (*cries for him*) AJFDLKASD THANK YOU FOR TELLING ME.
Congratulations! I am so happy that you were able to meet your goal. I am also so excited that you shared more snippets! Like always, they are all super amazing. (They also made me a little but hungry, but that is a good thing in my book!) I really love how awkward, yet sassy, Mo is. And Ruby is just as good at dishing out the sass as Mo is. I would love to read more about them!
I really do not think that there are enough dragon books in YA today (as if there could ever be enough). I have always been fascinated with the legends and stories behind dragons. They are like the first fantasy creature that I learned of, and I have been hooked ever since. It is awesome that you are giving dragons the attention that they deserve. And your writing certainly does them justice.
I wish you tons of good luck and chocolate for your editing.
They made ME hungry to write. xD HHA BUT OMG THANK YOU SO MUCH TESSA!!! *flails wildly* This completely makes my day! 😀
And yessss. We definitely need MORE DRAGON BOOKS IN YA! I was scouring my library for some for research (ehhe) and hardly came up with any! Awww, but thank you for the encouragingness! I appreciate it so much!
Holy moly. Did you even eat during those four days? Did your butt fall asleep from sitting in a chair for hours? (Mine sure would have!)
YES. I DID EAT MUCHLY. Sleep though….pfft. hehe. But seriously I cleared my schedule so I could fully focus on writing. That’s how I had the time. xD
80% of your characters die? Really, Cait? Have you been listening to too much G.R.R. Martin? (It’s no wonder you’re not writing a sequel, though!)
I’ve already told you that I love your snippets, but I’ll say it again: They’re great! If the rest of the book is even half as funny, I’m excited for it. More importantly, I’m glad you feel good about it.
“No wonder you’re not writing a sequel” < haha, that is really funny. 🙂
@Maraia: Ummmmm….ABOUT THAT. But in my defense, the first book I ever wrote only 2 characters made it out alive. XD And that was pre-GRRM influences. I was also 15. Omg. I was angsty. Ahem. But squeeee thank you. <3 I am really happy with it. It's still mostly a mess BUT I DO LOVE IT.
@Aidyl: HAHAHHA. Omg. I am such a terrible author to my characters. XD
CAIT, WHY
After five days, I’m at 11k and I was so PROUD of myself until this post!! :p but also impressed. I don’t think I have the attention span to do 50k in 5 days (or 4 in your case!!) So hats off to you, ma’am! Teach me your ways.
Also, your story sounds fantastic! I am in love with Mo already, and Ruby sounds hilarious, too. Will we ever get to read it? After editing of course…. but are you thinking of publishing at all?
BUT BUT BUT YOU SHOULD BE PROUD OF YOURSELF!! DON’T LET ME MAKE YOU FEEL OTHERWISE. OMG. OR I SHALL BURY MYSELF IN A HOLE. After I give you cake, because 11K is awesome. JUST SAYIN’ *sprinkles glitter in your hair*
I might put a little bit up on wattpad next year?!
Holy MOley, Cait! 50,000 words in four days is really impressive. I tried Nano a couple of years ago, when I was still in college, and I think I gave up half-way through. I love what Nanowrimo is all about, but it is truly hard work, and I admire those who stick with it. I really would like to give the event another go. I’m my own worst enemy with writing though. Even though I know first drafts can be terrible, I haven’t learned to let go of that anxiety yet.
Thank you for sharing snippets too. The premise sounds really fun, and I love Mo’s voice!
Omg, I can’t imagine trying to do NaNo AND do college! That would be intense. 😛 I think it can be easier for people who are used to writing a lot too?! Like I write ALL THE TIME, so it’s not such a stretch for me. But I was sooo nervous last year when it was my first time. hehhhh. AND YES! It is hard to let go of the first-drafts-need-to-be-good belief.*nods*
Squeee! So glad you liked them! 😀
Wow in 4 days, that’s like you did nothing else those 4 days then write. I can imagine you must be exhausted. Your book sounds really interesting, a murder mystery with dragons sounds interesting. And 80% of the cast dies, that sounds serious.
BASICALLY THAT IS TRUE. XD I worked out I spent 6+ hours writing some days which is…a lot. *gulps*
Dammit Cait. I’m not even doing NaNo and you’re already making me feel slow. *cries* But congrats on finishing in 4 days – that’s remarkable! You must be so happy! And your quotes are absolutely incredible. I love how you incorporate your snark and humor into your characters – I can really see you reflected in them. GAH. Now I want to read the whole thing. *goes off crying some more*
OMG HAHA. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at this. XD So I’ll just give you cake. I AM REALLY HAPPY!! It’s my best “time” writing and I’m kinda proud of that. :’) Not sure if the rest of the book is logical buuuuut…I’m pleased! I AM.
okaaayyy, I wasn’t going to put dragons in my NaNoWriMo novel, but I think I’m convinced. A dragon has been added to the outline.
And also your snippets are hilarious. and congratulations on finishing so quickly! (but really how do you do it)
YES. ADD DRAGONS. Dragons make everything better.
Zomg, thank you!! *flails wildly* I just…I just write fast and spend a lot of time typing away madly?!
OMG FOUR DAYS?!? I can barely get to 10K in that amount of time. *bows at epicmazingness* And I LOVES da quotes. So funny! Especially the one about the red ink.
On the other hand, I’ve only just reach 15K, which is way farther along than i expected. Woot! The first act takes place in a strange forest called the Reden Wald (which, according to google translate should mean talking forest, but i’ll probably have to check that sometime) with a bunch of weird magical creatures in it. Why not have a dragon? I’ve already got a white furry girl creature and a beast that’s a cross between a yak and…probably a sumo wrestler. I’ve also got a godlike magical cat named Bane who knows the past, present and future, which is why he’s allowed to say things like this in 19th century Germany (ignore the spelling/grammar mistakes that i have no time to fix.”
“i’m just surprised you got up this early to see me.” Rupen smiled along with Bane, happy to be able to smile in times like this.
“oh, come on, it’s a road trip. why would i miss this. we’re like John and Charlie, exploring the country, a world which we’ve forgotten for more than twenty years. at least in my case. it’s been a while since i saw the city.”
“does it ever occur to you that most people don’t understand a thing you say, me included.”
“yeah, no one will get that one for a while now.” Rupen rolled his eyes. by now, he had learned to ignore some of the absurd stuff that came out of that cat’s mouth and focus in on the important things.
*FLAILS AROUND AND DANCES TILL DAWN* Eeeep! I’m glad you like them too!! I think the red ink is my favourite because…idek. I was basically howling at that point because it’s the finale and everything was going wrong. But still…the sass. :’)
GO YOU FOR 15K!!! SQUEE!! CAKE ALL ROUND. I love the sound of this magical cat though. I LIKE THIS. You totally should just add in a dragon too because…why not!? Everything is better with dragons. That is totally a fact. *nods sagely*
I LOOOVE YOUR SNIPPET. THAT CAT. <3 OMG!!
Wow, oh wow. I can’t believe you’re already to share snippets from your NaNo book! I’m hoping to continue writing and therefore I’m not allowing myself to read back through *any* of my book. I’m afraid that if I realize how much work there is that I’ll need to do on the re-writes or if I discover my plot holes I’ll freak out and my inspiration for the month of November will dissipate. I *have* been brave enough to send the story to one of my (very non-writing) friends each night, though, because I like to email it every day for backup purposes anyway… I told her not to give me any feedback whatsoever but she could sing the story’s praises from the housetops if she so wished…. She’s kept up with the story and begs for more so I suppose that’s a good sign. 😉
Anyway! GOOD JOB FINISHING NANO! Really, that’s amazing! Inspiring! Fantastic! You know, I could go on, but I’ll refrain. You make me want to try and complete it in four days now… (I have written 50,000 in 3 days, but it wasn’t NaNo or very much of a real story….) And, your snippets sound quite interesting indeed. You said once that you don’t write your novels the same way you write your blog posts, but I can totally see the resemblance in those few glimpses you’ve given us. I think you should really post more of them. 🙂
I DON’T READ BACK THROUGH EITHER!! Or else I die of mortal shame because so. many. mistakes. (I just nab whatever I think is funny as I write it…hahaha. *ahem*) Ohh, that is such a good thing you have a friend to read as you write! 😀 My sister used to do this, but she’s too busy now. BUT YAY FOR READERS WHO BEG FOR MORE. xD
And zomg you’ve done the 50K in 3 days?? #goals
And YES. I think my bloggness is getting a little more into my writing. I let myself get dark and agnsty in my books though, whereas I keep everything happy on the blog. hehhh.
YOU’RE NOT HUMAN.
Oh my gosh, are you a dragon, is this semi-autobiographical? Because that would make sense, no wonder you wrote it in only four days, you were going off memory!
Did it happen to one of your clones? I’m still jealous of your cones.
Let’s not talk about my doing nano, hahaha, because I haven’t even started yet and definitely don’t think I’ll be able to reach 50k.
Once again, you’re amazing. Your snippets give me life. I’ll take your book now please.
YESSSSS. I am a dragon. *flails dragon wings* All the dragony bits were just based off my scaly life. :’) EVERYONE NEEDS CLONES, DRAGON CLONES! (It just gets better and better, amirite?)
y o u c a n w r i t e t h a t f a s t……. I am scared of you now. turns out you do really have super powers.
DOOOON’T BE SCARED. COME BAAAAAKC, CLARE. I use my superpowers for good AND evil, just so you know. I make wicked cakes. *gives you some*
This sounds like such a fun book! I love dragons, especially snarky ones. Sadly, my book doesn’t have a dragon in it, but I wrote a short story with one once. I like your friendship bracelet snippet best, but they’re all good 😀 Also, FOUR DAYS is pretty badass.
AHHH THANK YOU, AMANDA. XD 4 days is my new record which definitely makes me squee. BUT OMG DRAGONS ARE SO FUN! this is my first time writing something dragon-y. So I’m happy!! 😀
HOW DID YOU FINISH SO FAST!!? I’m just so amazed right now. You’ve done the impossible. 😀
I’m like 5k behind on where I should be to finish on time (all thanks to school for taking over my life).
But, anyways, those snippets are AMAZING. I really, really need to read this book.
I JUST WRITE A LOT. I’m actually not that fast…I just have the time (and opportunity?!) to write in like huge hour chunks. hehe Ahhh, and I’m not balancing school. SO YOU’RE DOING AMAZINGLY!! GO YOU!!
It was the sunflower latte. Ha! Congratulations. A feat beyond measure. I am happy you got it done so quickly so we can have you here on the blog. I am selfish; I know. And maybe you can put the rest of the Papercut story up on Wattpad. Hehe. I am hooked on that story. Ghosts, I love ghosts.
YESSSSS. (Although my mother corrected me and said it’s a dandelion latte. AGH. I AM EMBARRASSED. I didn’t know it was dandelion and not sunflower seed??? I think I wrote too much and fried my brain. bUT ANYWAY. It’s delicious.)
I have SUCH plans to do more of Paper Cut!! I’m actually considering getting stuck into editing it over Christmas so I can put more (all!?!?) up on wattpad in 2016!! 😀
HOLY. CRAP. I’m out of words.
Okay, can I flail!? I NEED TO. This is so, so amazing. I mean, I laughed out loud. FROM SNIPPETS, CAIT. I laughed, by myself like a lunatic, from your SNIPPETS. The actual book could kill me. Look, I know I probably shouldn’t tell publishing professionals what to do, but like, not publishing your book would be pretty much a terrible life choice for them.
Anyway, aside from trying to add a book that hasn’t been edited yet (this one, in case that wasn’t clear) to Goodreads, I am doing okay with NaNo. First, you were 10000% right, I think the choice to start with the “easier” one was a good one. I mean, I may temporarily abandon it and go back to the other thing after NaNo, BUT I am able to write it without feeling too stuck, so that’s a plus. And like, since I already have 16K words, and last year I had 400… this is progress! I felt bad for a few minutes that so many people are done or almost done, but those people don’t have small humans driving them insane (or that’s what I tell myself) and more than an hour a day to do this, so I am cutting myself some slack.
But like, maybe you can even answer this, my biggest problem right now is that the lead up to the real “meat” of the story, the thing that I think sets it apart, is driving me mad. Like, how can I spice the necessary backstory/lead-in up? I feel like if I cut it (which I wouldn’t do until after NaNo, because I am no fool!) that it might be harder to connect with the character- AND I’d have to do a LOT of backstory during part of the story that shouldn’t really HAVE that much backstory. Does this make any sense? I have lost my mind. Just turn me around, hand me some cake, and show me the door. I am just aimless at this point 😉
Great job, and congrats! This story sounds so, so amazing, and I am so excited for you!
OKAY WELL THIS IS THE BEST NEWS OF EVER. I’M JUST GONNA BE HERE FLAILING FOR 90 YEARS IF YOU NEED ME. MAKE THAT 9000 BECAUSE OMGGGGGG. YYYYYYYAYYYY!!! *collapses because is so pleased* Ahem. I’m pretty sure publishing houses need me badly. They don’t even know how badly they need me basically. But they do. Ahem.
OF COURSE I WAS RIGHT. I’m always right. *flips hair* And there is always time to write BOTH anyway, right?!? And 16K is AMAZING and I hope it’s followed by a lot more thousands of words and I REALLY HOPE YOU WIN, SHANNON!! 😀 I’m boggled that you raise small humans AND read AND blog AND write all at once. I could not do that. I probably will just bow to you right now. But only for a second, because I am supposed to be queen here.
And it dooooes make sense. And if you ever need someone to brainstorm in detail with — I AM HERE FOR YOU. Backstory can totally be hard. I think, one of my tricks at least, is to weave it in as you go. And I also info-dump hugely in first drafts. Mostly for my sake? It helps me figure things out and then I can cut excess in revisions. *nods*
I shall hand you copious amounts of cake.
ROAD TRIP MURDER MYSTERY INVOLVING DRAGONS! I never knew I needed this in my life but I REALLY DO. *grabby hands* Also HOW DID YOU WRITE THAT MUCH IN FOUR DAYS?! YOU must be a dragon yourself. That must make it quite difficult to type, huh?
EVERYONE NEEDS DRAGONISH MURDER MYSTERIES IN THEIR LIFE. I’M 99% SURE OF THIS FACT AND AM ON A MISSION TO FILL THE DRAGONLESS MURDERY HOLES IN THE FABRIC OF SOCIETY.
I am a dragon. *struts*
I’m so jealous of your 4 days of madness! I’m going to finish on the 10th I believe, I’m at 35k now. And I hate my story, I don’t even want to share snippets. lol your snippets are so fabulous.
So are you going to do a second novel this nano? Or no? I’m going to.
Also I don’t have dragons in my novel, but I should.
YAYYY I HOPE YOU DO, ABI!!! I shall be here to fling cake in your face when you do. *nods* And hey, first drafts are allowed to be utterly crappy, okay?!?
I’m not going to do anymore. XD This is it for me! I miiiiight start editing, but pfft. I highly doubt it.
ZOMG YOU NEED DRAGONS, ABI. YOU’RE LETTING ME DOWN HERE.
I can’t wait for cake. 😀
Okay! Cool, well I hope the rest of your NaNoWriMo is great. 😀
I”M SORRY! I shall put a dragon in there just for you. Promise.
CAIT I LOVE THOSE SNIPPETS. I hadn’t seen them all on Twitter but they’re SO MUCH FUN to read. I love Mo, he sounds like my favourite kind of protagonist: sassy and getting himself into a lot of trouble haha. Also I didn’t know your world was based on Japan; your book just got even better 😛
AHHH YAYYYY!!! I AM SO GLAD, MICHELLE. THIS TOTALLY JUST MAKES ME FLAIL. I do love a character with a mouth that gets them in trouble. 😉 How come I always write them sassy though?! Omg. I keep telling myself I’ll do a serious book someday…BUT IT JUST DOESN’T HAPPEN. (I will need to do so. so. much. research though to pull off this fantasy-inspired-Japan. Right now it’s horrifically bad. >_<)
OHHHHHHHH DEAR CAIT, STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT STOP BEING SUCH AN AMAZING WRITER. *cough* confession, i planned to do NaNo at a measely 100 words a day..and I sTILL haven’t even started?! *weeps* *crawls out from under thousands of essays and revision notes*
THOSE SNIPPETS THOUGH, i NEED MORE.
I CAN’T STOP, HAWWA. IT’S JUST WHO I AM. *FLAILS RAPIDLY* I’M JUST TOO FABULOUS. Ahhh, but school would make things harder. I think I would probably definitely completely not be this fast if I was balancing school as well. *nods*
This is so cool, Cait! Like, epically awesomely cakey cool. (And your snippets are really awesome, too.) I still haven’t started NaNo (*gulp*) but seeing you do this gives me the tiniest bit of confidence that it’s possible…
I was actually aiming to write AT LEAST 10k today… it’s nearly 4pm. I should probably get, y’know, started…
OH YES. GET THEE STARTED!! *sends you encouraging chocolate* 10K a day is manageable for me if I start in the morning and pace myself. Like 3K before lunch, 3K after, and then 4 at night. *nods* That’s how I get to it. 😛 I HOPE YOU DO WELL WITH NANO TOOOOO!!
THIS IS WHY YOU’RE A QUEEN CAIT! Only you would finish NaNoWriMo in four days hehe. GOOD JOB THOUGH! I am currently about 6k words behind on NaNoWriMo and I’m trying so hard to not collapse and actually hopefully start to catch up. I loved reading your snippets and if you ever publish, I would totally be the first in line to buy the book 😉
~Kaitlin
WELL THANK YOU. *adjusts crown regally* I SHAN’T DENY ANYTHING. hahaha Although I do know someone who finished in 3. So…goals for next year? 😉 AHHH GOOD LUCK TO YOU THOUGH!!! *sends you encouraging chocolate*
And here I am only up to 22k! 🙁
Well, I do have a sick and mischievous one year old to care for, so that makes writing a little more difficult I’d say. But still.
I want to read the whole thing, it sounds wonderfully witty!
BUT YOU’LL GET THERE, ABBEY. I BELIEVE IN YOUUUUUU!! And small children demand much attention. I totally get that. Actually a reason I pushed to finish in 4 days instead of 5 was because I was off babysitting and…nope. I cannot do both. So I admire you!!
Ahem, Cait? THESE ARE SO FANTASTIC. Seriously. We both know how nervewracking it is to share snippets, and you have nothing to worry about. Your characters already have a huge fan in me- my love for Ruby? IT IS INTENSE AND TRUE she is my favourite- and I am so, so keen to learn more about your story. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THESE SNIPPETS. They’re so good, I’m actually having to thank you. The second one is my favourite of favourites. Now I want a nutritious meal of pretzels and gummy bears.
AHHH THANK YOU ROMI. <3 Ruby is sooo epic. AAFJDKLSAD I always tend to write sort of stupid guys and intense girls, but idek I love it. And I ship these two a lot. *happy sigh* But squeeee...I'm just so glad you liked them!!
Cait.
Cait.
Cait.
I need to read your book. Okay, thank you, that’s all.
I lied, there’s more. My favorite is the bagel one and the be more considerate one, because that sounds like something I’d say, and it’s hilarious ergo I’m hilarious, so. In related news, can I just say that I love the title of your book? If I saw that at the store, it would be an immediate buy. It’s so “Did you lie about the dragon? Well this is awkward.” In a good way.
How am I doing? OH WELL: I’m actually doing it so that’s something. My book is a mess and I’m slightly behind AND ALSO MY BOOK IS A MESS. So, pretty good, thanks for asking. I don’t have any GREAT snippets to share yet, because apparently I’m completely out of practice, and I need to do some heavy editing, but here’ s something:
“Alright,” her mother said. “Feel free to call anytime. Now does anyone want some cake?”
“I thought you’d never ask,” said Alex, eyeing the chocolate cake on the table.
“Cake!” Leia jumped up from where she had been playing with her dragon and stopped right in front of Eliza, who gave a startled laugh.
“Like mother like daughter, I see.”
“Cake, cake, cake,” Leia chanted.
“Alright, alright,” Alex’s mother laughed. “I’ll get the plates.”
I was going to look for something funny and witty, but this was literally the first thing that came up when I opened Scrivener. I think it’s a pretty good indication of what I have so far.
THIS COMMENT MADE ME LAUGH SO MUCH. SERIOUSLY. IT HAS MADE MY ENTIER DAY. And yes, so much awkward for this title. I actually couldn’t think of anything so this was like a placeholder title…but, gah, I don’t know what it is about me and placeholders but…I got attached to it. :’) And you are hilarious. Ergo my book must be.
FIRST DRAFTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE MESSY, RIGHT?!?? This book is a mess. The typos are so catastrophic I actually nearly killed myself laughing at them.
Btw, have you written me into your book and called me Leia? BECAUSE A) PLAYING WITH A DRAGON, AND B) CHANTING “CAKE CAKE CAKE”. This is me. Leia is my soul twin.
OMG!
CAIT!
LAST TIME IT WAS A WEEK
THIS TIME 4 DAYS
WHY DO YOU SET THE BAR SO HIGH?!
(ALSO YAY!)
Also I’m not doing NaNo this year…
Then again I didn’t do it last year…or the year before that…
Anyway I love the book… please publish it while I can still buy books
(ANGEL FACE)
Literally every single one of your books is on my TBR… even though you have’t published any……
I’m just going to shut up now
yes I KNOW. EVENTUALLY I’LL BE FINISHED THE BOOK BEFORE I EVEN START RIGHT?!?!?? hehehhh. Okay but I doubt I’ll ever get shorter than 4 days. 😛 I was jamming writing in all my conscious hours as is. o.O Okay, actually, I did spend some time lying on the floor moaning about my aching hands. BUT SHHHH. I shall keep my mortal failings a secret.
hehe. I WOULD LOVE TO BE PUBLISHED SOMEDAY. *DREAMS*
Aww poor hands
Maybe it’ll get better with training (?!)
I know Thing 2’s are quite nimble because of her training them at least once a week
YAY! You finished, I have no idea how, but you finished! I love the story so far (five cream cheese bagels doesn’t sound that bad). By the sounds of it you have lots of Editing to do (mwuahahaha!). But I do get what you mean about the struggle with writing and read/reviewing books, it’s very difficult to get the right time and head-space to do both to an acceptable level. Personally, I’m really struggling to get the daily word counts through but I’ll keep going.
YAYYY I DON’T KNOW HOW I DID IT EITHER BUT OMG. IT IS DONE. I CAN SLEEP FOR 9 YEARS NOW. Haha, just kidding. Who needs sleep? and for the first time ever I’m actually nearly looking forward to editing. 😀 (But that will pass soon because omg editing. *shudders*)
Congrats again on being finished in 4 days – I would say you are amazing, but I don’t want you head to get any bigger 😉 I loved those snippets, lots of hilarious one-liners and food is the best! (eww I mean gummy bears and pretzels?!). Most of all it looks like you had lots of fun while writing! Great work Cait 🙂 Now you can come back to us 😀
MY HEAD IS FINE. *realises doesn’t fit in own house anymore because head has swelled so large* AHEM. BUT ANYWAY. *flails* Thank you, Jeann. <3 It was a lot of fun! I was a bit worried about the start, but, zomg once I got into it, things were definitely as fun as last year’s NaNo. *nods*
You beast. I have utmost admiration for you writing 50,000 in four days – are you even human? Your book sounds so good too. I WANNA READ IT SO BAD.
I’ve written just over 27,000 words so far, and I’m pretty happy with how it’s going. I actually planned it out this year, and my characters have deviated from it a little. My brain tried to tell them to get back in line, but my fingers betrayed me and listened to my characters, and I think the new bits actually work better.
NOOO. I AM DRAGON. This is why I love shiny things and collect shiny books. IT ALL MAKES SENSE, RIGHT?!?
afjdklasfd thank you though, Rosie, squeee that means SO MUCH. <3
Omg omg you're nearly there! Over halfway! (Probably nearly finished by now?? Since I'm hopelessly late at replying to comments. The clones have all quit on me, omg.)
You’re a dragon! It all makes sense now. Haha, no I’m not finished yet, still around 28,000-ish. Hoping to get some more done today when I get back from uni.
DON’T EVER FORGET TO TAG ME ON TWITTER (or anywhere else) when your book is out! I can’t tell you how refreshing it would be to read about a young male protagonist whose a sorta mythical being who isn’t brooding all the time, and has an amazingly crazy and maybe idiotic sense of humor. I want this.
HAHHAHH IF I EVER GET A BOOK PUBLISHED YOU WILL NEVER STOP HEARING ME TALKING ABOUT IT. I SHALL NEVER SHUT UP. XDXD Ahhh, thank you! <3 This means so much!!
I’m waffling between offering you a very heartfelt congratulations and glaring at you furiously because I’m not even on track to finish my measly 25,000-word goal (1 day behind, so I suppose there’s time…), but mostly I think I’m just in awe of how a person could ever accomplish such a feat. WAIT. Maybe you’re half dragon or something?!
For some deranged reason I decided against dragons in my novel, but there is a hippogriff, so that’s something. (In fact, I’m quite pleased with this and super excited to write a book about a hippogriff — it’s pretty much uncharted territory, so I can do whatever I want. 😀 )
My favorite snippet is the bagel one. I’d definitely be that person saying, “My first thought when I couldn’t find you was actually can’t let all these go to waste. So ate them all. Sorry.”
JUST DO BOTH. Offer me cake AND glare, simultaneously. Aww, I hope you catch up though. Shall I give you encouraging cake now? YES I SHALL. I think I’m half dragon myself, though. *nods* It would explain why I’m always so attracted to shiny books.
HIPPOGRIFF IS GOOD. I used to write flying lions to quell the dragon-shaped-hole in my life. Now I’m just gonna dragon all the things.
Wow! I love these! I love them all! WHAT ARE FAVORITES?! I can’t choose.
I love how Mo’s always trying to make jokes and Ruby’s like #not funny. XD
That opening line though. It’s one of the best! It tells you so much without telling you anything and I love it!
“Now you sound like a coffee order.” *snickers* ALL THE SASS! Yes! I like it so much I could explode. When your book gets published, I’m going to buy it and be like, “And this is my Christmas/birthday present to me.” And then I’m going to make everyone else read it.
Congrats on a first draft in FOUR DAYS! Do you sleep or eat? Or do you just do words?
THAT IS THEIR RELATIONSHIP. SUMMED UP RIGHT THERE. XD I absolutely adore writing characters who don’t get each other, but are friends regardless. :’) It amuses me no end. hehehehehhh. *ahem* IF I EVER GET PUBLISHED I’LL TOTALLY BE LIKE SENDING YOU A COPY IN THANK YOU FOR YOUR EDITS ON BLOOD. omg, that was like 2…3 years ago now!?!? But they still were incredible edits and I’m like still a million percent thankful. :’)
I JUST WORDS.
What lovely snippets! I finished them and did the thing, you know the silent teeth-clicking smiling shaking hand waving thing that on every planet means “minor quiet fangirl”??
Well that’s the thing I did.
(I’d also like to take this time to apologise for the fact that my comments never seem to make sense.)
But yeah, CONGRATULATIONS! 4 days is INSANE.. But I guess all the cake of ever could placate me. (If only it weren’t virtual …)
But yes, it sounds fab. Japan and dragons, I love it. The uniqueness drowns me.
Also, are we shipping Mo/Ruby?? (Muby? Ro? Ro is definitely better. Muby sounds like a disease or something.)
OMG WELL I APPROVE OF THIS THING YOU DID AND AM SLIGHTLY HONOURED/DYING OF FLAILING MYSELF RIGHT NOW. Pfft, your comments always make sense. xD It’s me who probably rarely makes sense.
LET’S GO WITH RO. But then Muby…I can’t decide if it’s adorable or a moody toothache.
Congrats on finishing so early! I don’t think I could do that. XD I really like the written in red ink snippet. Reward yourself with lots of cake!
I SHALL. Because you told me to cake and I’m agreeable and obedient when it comes to cake. :’) AFJDALKSD THANK YOU.
CAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT
YOU DESTROYIFIED MY WORDING SKILLS
I CANNOT
THESE ARE TOO BEAUTIFUL
AND WHY IN THE WORLD YOUR AMAZINGLY HILARIOUS AND SNARKY BANTERY BOOKS ARE NOT PUBLISHED AND ON EVERY BEST SELLER LIST IN THE WORLD IS ENTIRELY BEYOND ME
ASLDKJFL;AKSJDFLKAJDFLKAJDF;KASJDLFKJSDLFKJSD
I LOVE YOUR WRITING AND I NEED TO READ EVERY BOOK OF YOURS OF EVER OKAY
ALSO THE MISSING HER HEAD ONE JUST <3
My goodness, why did I miss out on snippety goodness on twitter?? O_O I NEED TO NOT BE SO BUSY FOR NANO BECAUSE LOOK AT THE GLORIOUSNESS I MISS. Also you're ten thousand percent amazing for writing NaNo in 4 days. Just. I am done. *gives you cake*
And I totally am having a dragon in my NaNo. But he's very scary and golden and threatened my thief guy into doing devious stuff for him and it's gonna be awesome. *nods*
BASICALLY I ADORE THIS POST AND YOU'RE AN AMAZING WRITER ALKSJDFLKSJDFKSJFSJDLJ
AFJDAKLSFDAJKDL REALLY?!?!?? I’M DYING OF HAPPINESS HERE, DEBORAH. THANK YOU THANK YOU! CAKE FOR YOU! ALL THE CAKES OF EVER FOR YOU!! *collapses because flails so much*
I’m probably on twitter at the wrong time for you. xD hehe Timezones, darn them. I barely ever see my American friends tweets. *sighs*
YESSS DRAGON. Your book clearly has its priorities in order. And A THIEF GUY. Excuse me but I must sigh happily right now.
Hello! I don’t think we’ve met. Pleased to meetcha… Excuse the next paragraph or so as unfortunately I’m quite weird…
WHATHOW WHY GAAAAAA FOUR DAYS FIFTY THOUSAND YOU BOOK ACK! WHEN DO I GET TO READ THIS THIS IS LIKE THE BEST BOOK IVE SEEN ALL YEAR!!!
-Amy (Told you!)
HELLO AMY!! *WAVES WILDLY* Awww, thank you though. <3 Aasdjkfaldj this completely makes my dAYYYYYYY.
HIIIII!!! I’m so glad!!! It’s what I strive for haha. 😉
*lightly coughs* While I deeply appreciate you linking up … the issue is that you don’t actually seem to have linked up on the linky. I know you’re a rebel, Cait, but this is really going too far 😛 AND OMG ALL THE SNARK. I CANNOT SURVIVE THIS POST. Just, all the banter. Pfft, needs rewriting? You haven’t seen my first draft. Literally, I don’t know how I even found the courage to share them.
Thanks for not-really linking up, Cait!
OKAY YUP SO I’VE BEEN MEANING TO COMMENT ON THIS POST FOREVER AND FINALLY HERE I AM OHHHHHHMYYGOOOSSSSH YOU ARE NOT EVEN HUMAN SORRY IT’S TRUE. You’re amazing. Whoa. Wow. OUCH. WHAAAAT. LIKE, WHAT EVEN. Okay, I’ll stop freaking out now. You inspire me. I love how you set super high goals for yourself it’s amazing and inspiring and awesome the end. ♥
THE SNIPPETS. Ohhhh my word. Okay. Where to start. For some reason I didn’t catch ANY OF THEM?? on social media but yay because now they’re like totally fish-slapping me with awesomeness. The thing about the friendship bracelets…and the COFFEE ORDER and “ON WHAT PLANET IS THAT CONSIDERED ROMANTIC?” OHMAAAN YOU ARE JUST BRILLIANT THE END. I want to read this book. Even though I hate it when people die. Just…WAAA. *throws spoilt tantrum* But still, the awesomeness. gAH.
OKAY I HAVE NOTHING LEFT TO SAY YOU SUPERWOMAN.
BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO. ♥
love,
abbiee
I am in AWE. Like, how did you write a book in four days? FOUR FREAKING DAYS.. HOW, HOW, HOW?
Your snippets are amazing! This is your first draft? This alien would offer you anything to have that draft of yours. Except for the fact that I am broke (Do you accept cake?)
AWK. THANK YOU ALEX. And yes, this is my first draft! I’ve picked out the nicer snippets, hehe, so trust me, there are HORDES of angry plot holes that need filling.
I ALWAYS ACCEPT CAKE.
You are unbelievable girl!!! How on earth did you do that? Here I am on day 12 with only 7000 words. I came back to this post because I knew you’d inspire me to keep writing heheh 🙂 Good luck!
Your snippets are the best. I LOVE your writing and I want mooooore. Mooooore. Mooooore! D
Four days? I’m so impressed, Cait!
You MUST reveal the whole thing!! It sounds amaaazing!! Mo is adorable from what I cant tell, and even from these small pieces of the story I cant tell him and Ruby have an ADORABLE relationship. I couldn’t even write a book in 4 years! Congrats on doing it in 4 days! I wish I joined NaNoWriMo but i have 0 ideas… *sigh*
AWWW, THANKS, MAYA. XD It does take practise to get fast, heheh. When I started writing it was minimum 6 months to write…erm…a few thousand words. :O I spent too much time deleting. hehe.
I hope you do join NaNo one day! 😀 It’s SUPER fun and ahhhh, I love all the camaraderie on the forums and twitter and everything. 😀 WRITERLY AWESOME.
Ack, congratulations on finishing NaNoWriMo! And all your snippets look so great and sassy and wonderful, and I love the bit about the bagels. Basically I need this book when it gets published (when, not if), and then I will probably cry because I’m sure your dragon shape shifter book is better than mine. *sulks in corner* I understand the whole not getting writer’s block thing–I only get it when I’m editing and reworking a scene and I’m not exactly sure what the scene needs. But I draft far too quickly for writer’s block to catch up with me. But I’ve been having trouble multi-tasking too this month. I was hoping that I would be able to write 500,000 words this month and blog and read blogs and do other normal things, but so far I’m only at 214,000 words, and I’ve been blogging, but I haven’t been keeping up with other people’s blogs, at all, until now. It’s sad. I think I need to go rethink my life.
EXCUSE ME BUT 200,000+ WORDS ALREADY?!?!?! LET ME JUST BOW TO YOUR QUEENSHIP THOUGH. It makes my little tiny 63K look adorable and pathetic. HAHAHH. *gives you cake* That is amazing though, Liz. You are entirely amazing.
Oh, my gosh! When are you going to publish your book?! The snippets alone makes me want to READ. THE. BOOK. NOW! I’m drowning in so much sass & sarcasm. I love Ruby, and the dragon, and Mo. I can’t wait to meet them!
Oh, and congratulations on finishing NaNo in 4 days! That’s freakin’ incredible. I wish I have your motivation to write. *ignores tons of half-finished/never-to-see-the-light story ideas*
I’ve had this sitting in my inbox for FOREVER because I kept looking at it when I didn’t have time to REALLY read it and I wanted to. I’m glad I waited for the right moment so I wasn’t skimming through it. As always, I can’t wait to see more of your books!
AWWWW, thanks Nicole!! 😀 I appreciate that you still came back and commented. HEHE.
**excuse all the pre-fangirl squealing. There is a lot going on in my little heart over here**
Oh. My. GOODNESS!
I love love LOVE dragons! I could stop there BUT I shall not! They are amazing wonderful creatures and it’s my absolute favorite thing ever when they have personalities and connections with all the peoples. So, essentially you are now my best friend. (I realize that you don’t know me and this is my first ever visit to your blog and you would say “stranger” and I say “best friend” but, whatever. Semantics.) the excerpts are sassy and amazing and I already love Mo, please please PLEASE tell me he is real and your roommate or something?? I needs him.
YOU FINISHED NANOWRIMO IN FOUR DAYS?!?!?
WHAT THE – Erhmm… I mean CONGRATULATIONS! 😀
I cannot wait to read this book and I’ll certainly be stopping by your blog often! I mean, what are best friends for?
-Alissa
I AM HAPPY TO BE YOUR INSTA-BEST FRIEND. *HUGS YOU AND GIVES YOU CAKE AND DRAGON PETS* Zomg, I’m soooo pleased you like the snippets. :’) Mo is my adorakable darling baby. I’m actually excited, for once, to go back and do some editing! (Usually editing scares me fiercely, hehe.) Ahhhh YUS. XD I am a bit of a crazy writerly over achiever, right?!?? hehe.
Awk!! I’M SO GLAD YOU LIKE MY BLOG. MORE CAKE FOR YOU. MORE DRAGONS. 😀 HUAAAAAZAH!!
Cake AND DRAGONS?!?
Yaaaaassssss!!!!!
I cannot wait til it gets published, soo edit quickly!
(You’ve created monsters… We will be at your doors with torches and pitchforks if the final edit is not in our hands SOON! We will come for you!!)
And mmmm CAKE!
OMG I AM SO LATE TO THIS BUT I LOVE IT SO MUCH AND DRAGONS AND CUTE AND ARRRRGGGGGHHHHH
I just have all the feels right now.
I LOVE Mo. Seriously. He’s just adorable. Plus, dragons.
Elly x
OMG THANK YOU, ELLY. <3 I maybe possibly will just give you cake right now. :')
FOUR DAYS, FOUR DAYS?! That’s it. This November, there is absolutely no excuse for me no finishing my novel in a month. I must commit!
Also, do you have work/school and do you nap/sleep occasionally? If so, YOU ARE MY HERO TEACH ME YOUR WAYS,
Also, are you human? Perhaps you’re secretly a dragon? Which is why you write about one so well?! *sits stunned at discovery*
Love your snippets! You really are brave to share them, and I’m glad you did because THEY ROCK.