NaNoWriMo 2011 has begun! I have high hopes for this year as I take my first stab at writing a novel for Young Adults. Yes, that means I have to tone down certain things like violence, language and keep the text at or near the appropriate reading level. Not necessarily the easiest of tasks. I will have to imply a great deal of things that I would normally have described explicitly.

I’m doing a post-apocalyptic, journey home type of thing. Two siblings are separated from their parents while trying to wade through a mass of refugees trying to book passage on a caravan that will take them to their new home. But to catch up with their parents, they are going to have to trek across a hostile wasteland full on monsters and cannibals.

Whoohoo! The first draft is complete and in time to use my free proof copy from my NaNo winnings. It looks incredible. I just need to make the inside just as neat-o as the outside. Then who knows…maybe I’ll shop it around and see if I get a bite.

Prep for 2011 NaNoWriMo is underway. I’m having a tough time deciding what story I want to put down on paper, but there’s still time yet.

Okay, so I failed miserably at this year’s Script Frenzy. It happens. I failed my first two attempts at NaNoWriMo as well. Excuse: my brain failed me when I tried to wing it. I have come to realize that I can only successfully ‘discovery write’ for a little while and then my lack of preparation becomes all too evident.

Am I depressed about the failure? No, not really. It’s these things that show me where my shortcomings are and how to prevent or at least minimize them. I know what I need to do, to write a complete script of 100 pages or more: outline, outline, research, outline, more research and finish outlining.

On the plus side, while I reached 50K pages for 2010′s NaNo, I have only just recently finished the completed story. It is currently being alpha read by a partner in crime and it is sure to come back with a ton of notes. This is a good thing. I tend to struggle within myself about letting others read my work (good trait for a wanna-be writer right?) and I’m always anxious that it will not be any good at all. And it probably isn’t, but how does one improve without those criticisms? — You can’t, that’s how.

So, if I didn’t already have way too many projects on my schedule, I’m doing Script Frenzy again this year.

There are also several short stories and a YA story in the works. I still haven’t finished my NaNoWriMo first draft yet either. I really have to prioritize better.

Since New Year’s resolutions are meant to be broken, I’ve decided to go with “goals” for the year. It’s nearly February and I’m already falling behind on those goals.

Let me explain. I’ve set a goal to write on a more consistent basis this year. So, while I’m finishing my NaNo (Puppeteer) I have also been writing some short stories. I’m desperately trying to hone my craft and the best way to do that is to write. Often. And to read.

That’s the goal and the story — and I’m sticking to it!

I have to mention this before it fades from memory so bad that I have to revisit it.

Exam

This movie is well done and intense. It has a fairly large cast for a film that takes place in a single room. Just read the synopsis and then try not to go out and find it. It’s on NetFlix by the way. It is well worth the watch. You’re not getting any spoilers from me because I wouldn’t want you to miss a thing.

Happy 2011!!!! I hope everyone has their resolutions tucked away into the oblivion of another year of failing to accomplish them (and for some of us not even try).

Having taken the month of December away from writing, I’m finishing my novel that I started during NaNoWriMo 2010. Hopefully, with fingers firmly crossed (along with eyes), I will have a completed novel by the end of January and will begin editing through February and probably March as well.

There are only two days left and I have managed to pull out my 50K this afternoon. I still have a great deal to write on my novel, but I have won! This is my fourth year and my second win! 50% is not too bad and it will only grow larger from here on out.

I’ve got my technique sussed but that doesn’t mean that what I have down on paper is all that great. It does feel good to have that many words down and the best way to become a better writer is to write. I’ve heard that advice, you’ve probably heard that advice and all I can say is, it has worked fairly well so far.

The 3rd week is over and we are into the final week and days of NaNoWriMo. I’m a little behind, but believe in the next two days can easily get caught up and maybe get a nice buffer of words as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches. The holiday always comes with its own levels of distractions: food, family, more food, games, food, some football, even more food … ensuing food coma.

I offer all of my fellow NaNo’s from San Antonio, Texas and abroad this encouragement. We’re almost done. Eight more grueling days of cramming as many words into your story as you can to meet the deadline. I’m rooting for you and wish you no end of luck.

Week number 2 has come and gone and I have to admin that I am struggling a bit.  I had one scene that was giving me fits on how to write it.  So, in trying to envision how that scene would go, I burned through two days without penning a word on the story.  Bad Todd!  No biscuit!

That being said, it is now a catch-up act for this week to get back my lead because I know from experience how things are going to go during the Thanksgiving holiday.  Usually, not well as I’m spend most of it stuffed to the gills with food.  I also blame those natural sedatives that are rumored to reside in the most glorious item of the Thanksgiving Feast: the turkey!

These are just excuses and I just need to grit my teeth and fight through the fog of food and tryptophan and crank out my words.  So, wish me luck as I try desperately try to be at least 2,000 words ahead of the daily goals before the holiday.