Thursday, October 30, 2014

PlotNoWriMo: Fine Tune





In the final week, we examine your outline so far and fill in any gaps left to make it work as a whole. The most important thing to remember about the outline?

http://www.quickmeme.com/img/df/df5c504d10c538e4c5b88e308206a324ed6c0fcff9e54a3e131fc3c17aff7464.jpg

If your novel is causing you undue stress next month, don't worry about straying from your outline or abandoning it entirely, IF it keeps you writing. But the hope is that we've done a thorough enough job of outlining that we've anticipated and fixed plot-related problems that could arise.

One thing to realize is that the actual writing of your outline may not feel as inspired as all the brainstorming and outlining we've done this month. It's possible that when you actually start to write, some of the shine has dulled from your idea. This happens often when our brilliant creation feels bogged with the technicality of writing it or even if the story isn't coming out as we envisioned in the first draft.

Be careful that you don't abandon your outline prematurely. A good way to tell whether a problem lies with a flawed outline or a bored writer is to look at the reason why you're having trouble.

If the dots of your story aren't connecting -if the character isn't cooperating, if the plot points are beginning to unravel- this is a good indication that your outline isn't working and it's safe to try writing without it for a while. (As a cheerful anecdote, while writing The Fellowship of the Ring, J.R.R. Tolkien had no idea who Strider was when he met the hobbits in Bree, but Tolkien decided to go with it. Now can you imagine LotR without Aragorn?)

If the plot still works, but your inspiration and passion for putting the words together has waned, there's a good chance the problem is you and the answer is to sludge through. Assuming the idea felt inspired and brilliant during the outlining stage, you still believe in your story and want to write it, you've just hit a rough patch. As with any creative pursuit, there are going to be times that you want the finished project without going through the hard process of creating it. We've all been there. If you really want to be a writer -or a person of any creative pursuit- we need to take the technical and/or boring side of the project with the thrill of the ingenious craze. Don't give up on your outline just yet. If you keep writing, you should find that the boredom will vanish and the inspiration return, you just need to stick with it.


On a personal note, I've (almost certainly) decided that I'll be skipping NaNoWriMo myself this year. I have my work cut out for me completing my MG novel Rodney and the Gonjii, and most of this is fine-tuning and arc-mapping, so word count does not really apply.


For those of you participating, the best of luck! And hey, I'd love to hear about your progress during NaNo. A vicarious experience, if you will. Be sure to tell me whether or not this outlining process has helped you, as I hope it has. Just #PlotBender.

PlotNoWriMo Schedule: 

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

COVER REVEAL: Endless by Jaclyn Weist

I've got a special treat for everyone today -a cover reveal! 

Jaclyn Weist is the author of The Princess and the Prom Queen, The Luck Series, and a contributing author of the Gates of Atlantis series.

Her latest book, Endless, is a modern Cinderella tale and I hope you're as excited for it as I am. First, let's see the synopsis:
Sydney lives her nightmares every night. While other teenagers are dreaming of boys or traveling to exotic places, she must run a staircase with no beginning or no end, or a terrible debt will never be paid.
Just before her seventeenth birthday, the dreams change. She is no longer alone.
But her nightmares don’t end when she wakes up. Her stepmother and stepsisters threaten to ruin everything she holds dear. She must protect the secret that both she and her father have magic or they will use it to their advantage.
As Sydney learns to control her magic, what seemed impossible before—escaping her stepmother and those ever-present stairs—is now at her fingertips. When she learns the ultimate plan of her evil captor, Sydney must stop her at all costs, or she will forever lose her soul.
  
Just keep scrolling, just keep scrolling, scrolling, scrolling...



Absolutely gorgeous! The release date is November 28th, so don't forget to add it to your holiday wishlist.



 About the Author

 
Jaclyn is an Idaho farm girl who grew up loving to read. She developed a love for writing as a senior in high school, when her dad jokingly said she was the next Dr. Seuss (not even close but very sweet). She met her husband, Steve at BYU and they have six happy, crazy children that encourage her writing. After owning a bookstore and running away to have adventures in Australia, they settled back down in their home in Utah. Jaclyn now spends her days herding her kids to various activities and trying to remember what she was supposed to do next.

 Facebook | Twitter | Blog | Gates of Atlantis

Monday, October 27, 2014

BOOK GIVEAWAY: Instinct (Werewolf Academy) by Cheree Alsop

Woohoo, another giveaway! Again, the wonderful Cheree Alsop is providing two ebook copies of her latest Werewolf Academy book, Instinct. If you'd like to check out my review of Strays, part of the same series, you can find it here and here.

I've mentioned before that Cheree Alsop is an amazingly prolific author. Instinct is her sixth book published this year. For those of us gearing up for NaNoWriMo, this is pretty inspiring. Who knows? Maybe someday we'll write that many books a year, too.

Hey, we can hope, right? ;)



Werewolf Academy: 
Instinct

http://www.chereealsop.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Werewolf-Academy-Book-3-cover.jpg 


Alex’s quest to stop the General’s army of extremists gets personal when someone he cares about is taken. Lives are put on the line and Alex is pushed far past his limits to bring her home. The General is ruthless in his attempt to get Drogan back, and he knows Alex is the key to finding his son. Through it all, Alex comes face to face with someone he thought he would never see again. The question is, can instinct and his heart agree on the path he should take?

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The giveaway ends November 3. Good luck, everybody!

 
About the Author
Cheree Alsop is the mother of a beautiful, talented daughter and amazing twin sons who fill every day with joy and laughter. She is married to her best friend, Michael, the light of her life and her soulmate who shares her dreams and inspires her by reading the first drafts and adding depth to the stories. Cheree is currently working as an independent author and mother. She enjoys reading, riding her motorcycle on warm nights, and playing with her twins while planning her next book. She is also a bass player for her husband’s garage band, Alien Landslide.
Cheree and Michael live in Utah where they rock out, enjoy the outdoors, plan great adventures, and never stop dreaming. 


You can find Cheree all over the web: Website | Facebook | Twitter |
You can also find her books at Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Smashwords |

Thursday, October 23, 2014

PlotNoWriMo: Organize

That's right, it's time. To get organized!

http://www.reallifetravels.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/lets-get-organized-3.jpg





Step four in the PlotNo process is dedicated to filing and organizing all of your notes and brainstorming, converting them into hard copies to have on hand (WORLDBUILDING BIBLE! *throws confetti*), and taking satisfaction in the fact that all relevant information is now at your finger tips. Mua ha ha.

Having trouble? #PlotBender
Finding success? #PlotBender
Scared of what's coming come November? #PlotBender
Want to share your own tips? I think you know where this is going. =) 

PlotNoWriMo Schedule: 

Monday, October 20, 2014

Vlad the Impaler -Hero?

I was minding my own business, surfing the Internet, when I saw a banner ad for 'Dracula Untold'. Instantly I was intrigued and dashed to YouTube to view the trailer as quick as my mouse could take me. Disappointment quickly settled in as I watched Luke Evans leap from a castle wall and dissipate into a cloud of bats*.

Just another vampire flick. Le sigh. 
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Vlad_Tepes_002.jpg
The intriguing promise of 'Dracula Untold' -a title just begging to be the true story behind a myth- sprang to mind the more unfamiliar history of Vlad III, known as Vlad the Impaler.

I was about 15 when I first heard about the controversy surrounding Vlad the Impaler. Being an avid reader, of course I had heard that Bram Stoker's original vampire was based on a historical figure who inherited morbid fame for being said to drink the blood of his enemies. I never thought much of it. Who was I to question the existence of such a horrid man in the 1400s?

In a conversation with some old family friends, we steered into the topic of Dracula and vampires, and much to my surprise they jumped to the defense of Vlad III. Jumped. 
These friends are well-traveled, and they quickly explained the Romanian opinion of Vlad III as one of their beloved folk heroes. In Romania, he is considered one of the greatest people of all time and they despair to think he has become such a horrible figure in the eyes of the world (never mind the vampiric aspect).

I hadn't thought much about this until I saw that ad. While I'm disappointed 'Dracula Untold' isn't going to feature a story more along the lines of Romania's folk hero, I'm glad it revived my interest in this quandary.

Myth, legend, and rumor have become mixed with history, thanks to the colorful exaggerations Germany and other parts of Eastern Europe added to the tale of Vlad's exploits. Bad press sells, and considering the original fairy tales of these regions, does that really surprise you?

Maybe it's just the writer in me, but what intrigues me most is the idea that one man's villain is another man's hero. Sure, Vlad impaled thousands of people, but don't forget the small fact that they were invading Turks trying to conquer his country for the Ottoman Empire.

I'd like to read up on this, dissect the truth from the hearsay. Which side is more accurate? How much from either side is fact, how much macabre or romantic myth? Was Vlad III a hero or a villain? 

This is my kind of mystery to solve.

*If you were wondering, yes, 'cloud' is the official group name for bats, along with 'colony'. See what fun things you learn on random blogs?

Thursday, October 16, 2014

PlotNoWriMo: Major Plot Points

We've formulated The Idea. We've survived the Brainstorm. Now, at week 3, we're going to lay a course for our novel by charting out the necessary Major Plot Points.




The third week is focused on identifying the major plot points, scenes, emotional developments, and other necessary events you foresee for your novel and filing them into a preliminary outline.

Ask any questions in the comments below or with #PlotBender on Twitter. Heck, let's make this a party. Let me know how you're doing and whether you've discovered more effective ways to plot. What story are you working on? How's your progress been? I'm dying to know!

 

PlotNoWriMo Schedule:


Monday, October 13, 2014

Literary Laughs and Fun Tidbits


 


I've come across so many fun things around the Internet this week, I just wanted to share them all.

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2qwyz3MTwkmKWZY1JcvGoyRsUAhTkjw6ir9x1rAu+HZ7gI0YlgSQK2MgM6YzjzGD76r992c3e97/VbmK8FtbTlUEQGdsbsv3KryY7uY64q4/wCTHpOhR2YYIXtIIw3MgEIhz5kZFASPAXxXY/ilv9ktYvr38DxR+M2f/UvVxs+B9ehjSKLVIVjjVURe5X1VUYUc4ieQA8aTtuzGYWmpRXF0ks980TtIqEKrROXyQAOpPgBUe/Kqx4962SSKpN9DQ+D/AIvs/wAWg+yWqZ2b/G+u/PQ//lqLteGddiRI49UiCIqoo7leSqMAc4s8gBSGk9nesxTTzQ6lCklwVaZu6B3lc4ODGQPhHoB1qPVxPEukoV2Jv0LnCS6o6/ZJ/wAWtPnpP7Falw7/ABS2+Yh+zWss1/sn1a/VUvNRhkVCWUd1jBIwfgovhUlBwZr6KqJqsIVQFUdyvJVGAP4LyFbAsPOJ+xqEvd3i3V1HI/ezlUZFXdhmA5DOM+2prsX1J5tIgaVmdg0q7mJYkLI2Mk8zywPdUNPwbr7qyPqsJVgVYdyvMMMEfwXkauPAPCx06xiti4dk3ksAQCXctyB+XHuoCw0UUUAUUUUAUUUUAUUUUA1v09XPlUdUzIuRUOwwcV592oxu7bG5efIlUvloVguSvyeVSMUwYcqiK6jkIORUThXHbMVqFvOP8F06lLmiZoprBeA8jyNOa9Dx8qrJh363tERxa6ke02yQ+RqQVsiou7+GaVsrjHI+6uXwOKKnMsxrH7Lk9GeUNxTRIU1vpcDHnTmo29fLfJW245lfh8STj1fIx1x3Icae3LHtp3Ufp7cyKkKv4Jd4uHB+nIWLUgooptcXYXkOtbDIya8eDnY9IsSb6Ck04Uc6ZSXjHpypB3JOTS1oo+EfCuJs4vdxDIVVT7sPN+4kqtRW2Q/H5KaTeeLNCyAczkyYQAe9hViEixqF8gAPdyqs8fXge2WPHKS5tEOfEekRsR8hVCPfUqxzWyzuMww6Ixx/a3tb+BZGtyfMVmuS3sFI0UVwd+Tbkz71jbZJSS6HSLk4FSsEO0YpCzt8DJ607r0LgHC/w1fizXtP9kRbZ7ekFFFFdMYQooooAooooAopvYRFYo1PVUUH5QoBpxQBRRRQBRRRQBUXdphj7alKZ38fLPlWh4/i+PiNrrHmZapakMKKKK8sJoU7tbvHI/TTSip+Dn24dnfg/iiyUVJcxa6PrGka9JqM1biO3tsCaQK7fBjGXlf+hGoLN9FUs8TLyJSqi2298iq1FcyftbrwNNJWySfbUB+3d1JzgsJseDXEkdt79h3Pj5QDShg1M88WA/mlrk49m7aPp2+410N+PnZWPCq3S16vmYk4xe0T9o2GFSbOB1qkxcUtDKkd7CbVnbbHJuElvI33okAG1j4KwBPhmrBJKW61mxM6fCMd1Wx575en1KSirHtDm4vvBfpppmvKiNR4phik7kb5p+vcQI00gHmwXkg9rEVorsjL4pZpJv3LyMiUYIl69zUPYcTxSS9yyywTEFhFPG0TuB1KZ9WQD+aTUvUC6i7Gl3bE4suTT6EDxMN01gnndh/zUMr/AN1T1QOq+tqFiv3qXcp9yRxjl5/vrc/lqeqTl8qaY/8Aq39WykerCnNnBk58BSCJk4FS0UeBitt2e4b+It8aa9mP7sstnpaR2BRRRXpJDCiiigCiiigCiiigPFr2vFr2qLoDmRcjypkbhkODzp/ScsIYYNa/Ox7bI96mWpL6P4l8Wl1E4rwH2UuDUVNAVNexXJX2iufo7QTps8HMjprzMrq2txJWuJEyCKThuw3y0tXUQtqya9waaZgaaZDMuDivKc30WDnzptXk3EMZ42RKt+pPi9rYUUUVALgqrxcGtbSyT2Exjlkbc6TqJo5P5u7AlQfIxx5GrRUTecUwRymHMkkqjLRwRS3DoD0LiJW2++tpw23LhY1ipt+a1v6lk1HXtC2h8XLK3cXCejXQGTC5G1+eN0D9JVJ8uYzginurcT2tqQLieKJiMhWYbyPYo9Y9D0FUz0ZdeleIMY7O3Ybm2KtxJPyOEEgLwKoxltoLEkDl0veicK21oD3EKox+FJzaRzknLyNl3PM9TXoePhu2Cnau631REctPkV2+4kiu42hWxvLuKQbf4AxRuD4h52TGORDcufMUw4XfU/RYUNkAyoFMlzcBCwXkCURHbJA8SOfOtBubpI1LyMqKvMs7BVA9pPIVUr3tVtVfZDHdXbBDIfRoGcCP7/LbQy+1SalWcOx7YqFkdrrzKKbXQi+K9T1O0tJrgw2YEaFjtlmkbmQMqDGo5Z3czjAqW7KNISLTYZAd0tyouJpCdzSSSc/WPsGBj2HxJptrPFMN1bzW91bXlnHMvc99cQqI1eUYjyUkbHMqcnABwCQarnC2uXuiL6FfWs89ujHubq3QygKTnaw64yTgHBHMYIArNjYdGMmqYpbKOTfUu3G1j39ldb1ETQAzW825ch4oxIso8Uw+5CD1APgaU02672GKQjBeNHx5blBx+mobVbi51eJreCGaztpARLc3CbJHXxjhhzuIbkCzbRt3YzkU64c1N5FeKdVS4t27qVFzt6ZSRM89jphh7x4VznamiU6I2RX5XzfxMtL56ED62q/N2f6ZZ/08kqeqB0z1tRvW+9jtIvPossh+T+EXl7AfGrDDHuIFclk1O26umP8AjFfVb/2Z09JseWMHiaeV4oxXtenYWLHFpjVHyIcpd57CiiiphaFFFFAFFFFAFFFFAcxtkAjmCM5qqcR8e+i3kNtHA1yZFkLrDJH3sZRVYDu2I3ZU5xkEjpnpULovG+oyRsq2MDushgIScxLbuvIiZHBbaBhgUyCCOlTHD+gSLLNcXgt3uJHBVokOIkEaoEVnG/wOeeOftNQ8jKhRHrz9C5R2TPD3E0N4jNFuVo2KSRSKUliYeDoea+zzqWqp61wyXlF1ayej3agL3mN0cyDpFOmRvX2/CXlg8sU84Q4o9LjZZV7q6hOy4g55jbntZc/CRgNytzB91XY2VC+O119A46JyWIMMGouWLacGpikLqDcPbWp43wtZdXfgvbX7l9c+6yLpeO8Ye2kSK8rzqnKvxJexJpktxUuo8kuQ4x0NM6KKyZufPMalYltefqUjFR6BRRRWvLxhxBetDaXEqc3jhlkUfzkRiP0gU64Q0xbaCOKJNyGJZWudynv5pObs3PczN8LceWCAOlKOgIIIyCCCD0IPUGqv6bd6VEFjEd1aB444lkkeKWASyKiJvCOHjVmUDI3AcueK7Xsxl0196mXKTfL3+4jXRb5ktxPAIb+wuY/Vklm9FlA5d7C8Ujev57GRWB8OfnXur8aSEILGAz946xrcudlorPnB3DLyDljKAgkgbsnFVLjHR7ye5s0uriGGS4aaJREW7u3hCDvhGXwZJ5FbbuOMKCAOZrOO07jxbju7OyM0dnbosXdsRh2jJAPUswACgbmPTIA8e8Ixc+JOJLK0mY6nKdWuQpIgXb6Lbyc1aLZu2qck+sys2F5jOM0K87Y9ReQOkqxYjeFQkaeqjEHxHwhtXDeGPaao+aKAsOs8f393GYri5kkjYqShwFJTpyAHy+08zzreuw/jQ3tj3MpzNbbUJJyXjOe7Y+3kVP8ARB8a+ZKv/Ydrfo+rRKThZ1eE/Kw3J/xqo99AfUlU7i6D0e6trxeSswtLj2pK37zI39CXAz5SGrjVc7RLUyaZdbfhJH3y/wBKBhKo5+ZQCsV1Ubq5Vy6NaKp6eyK4aO6a/fzuyn5qGJP7qtenxeNU/gKUS2rTDpPcXMw5Y9VpmCn25VVPv9lXqJcACuS4biKfELLJdIaS+S0Z5y9hI7orksK5M6+YrrnbCPJtGDQpRRRWQoFFFJSXAHU1jsthWtzaRVLYrRTKTUPIVxGXfxwK1T4xTKfh07k/d9y/w31ZIUVwqYGKK2yctdDGUHsx0oC2W7M080t1FF33fSd5iSLcrY3DcCG3DBJxjFXSqvFCLHUWjHq299l4x9yl0gJlUfe96nr+1kbzq0VzHEISjc3LzM8egVXuI+HWdhdWrGK8iUhGHwJlHPuJl+6Q9Aeqk5FWGiotNsqpKUSrWzjh/WVu7aG4TkJEVtuclSfhIfarZU+0U5lugpwc/RVX4aT0a+ubXpHMDewKOYTJVbhf5v766uF6euceIFrliDDnXU2Sssp71LW9ctmFaT5jG4kRunX5KbUpNCVODSdeWcStssufixUZLromwSS5BRRRWsLwooooAqH4wtRJY3KnP8E7ArzYNGN6MvtDKp91TFFZ8e3wbY2ejTKNbWhlBYQ6xpcBu4w6zRRyEdCjlRlkI5qck+44PLIr577Quyu50xmfBlti2EmH3IPwRKB8FvDPQnp5Vt/Bb+h309gT+8yKbu1yT6oLYmhXPLCuQwA8GNXa9skmjaOVVdHBVlYZDA9Qa9lptjdXGyHRrZr2tPR8R0Vc+1bgpdNvjFE2YpFEsYOSUVmYbCT1wVOD4jHjVMrKUCpngy+EOoWkhzhLiFjjrjeM/ozUNVj4C0hLi7CyFwERpRsaJTujwVz3jAFc9QMt5CgPsCqV2vaw8GlyiP4c5Fuvs7zO8/kB/eRV1rM+2jUBi0g8Wkac/wBGJCoz8rSD8mqpbM1FTtsjBeb0P+zZQml2eAR+8qcHI5kkk8/ac1aGu2PjiqT2W3+6zMJ628jR8/vG9eM/Jhsf7tXCvKuIZGRjZVtUZNbk3y95LlV3H3X5cj0sT509tbTxb6K4tIfuj7qVlvgOnOtxwzGqogsrNlz8kzBNt+zEdZpCW8A9tMZLgt1NJVfm9p/7cePzZSNPqLy3bH2UhXccRY8qkILQL7TWsxsLN4pPv2N931f+i+Uow6CFvZZ5t9FPguK9orvcLApw4d2tfMiyk5dQoooqeWkXxHoCXkDROSpyHSRcb4pFOUkQ+DA/3jxqF4W1ySQyW11sW7tyEkCsuJVKgrOi9QrAjljkcjwwLdUVrHC1tdFWnhR3T4EnNZE/oOpDLz58jUXJxo3x7r+pVPQvmm15qEcS7pZUjXONzuiDP3uWIGfZ1ptPwRA4wz3ZGc4N5d4+1rPO0TsuS3X0yzR2CbmnjZnlbB5tOhck7hgbh4jn4c9YuFa5uRljJN6Lnw3cJe3sl5FKrxwxNaKo+EXaRZJXYEZA9SIL5jcfEVcK+cOG+I5LG4W5g9dWAEsQPKaPry8N46q3yjoTW+6ZxBDcQpNC4eNxuUjP0EeBByCD0IrYV3VVVLb0ly5lbapQlofSxBhg1GzwFTVM4s7Qr1NQFjp1tDNJ3IlPesRyyc49dRyGPHxpnJrnErDB06z/AC//AJFa7iXDKuI1d+H5vJlsJuD5l6orP/2x4j/1fafnP/71Gx8ca0121kLG19JSMSsm88kO3nnvcfdLyz41yH9M53pH6mfxompUVm+o8Sa/bxPNNYWqxxqXdt+cAdTgTEn6K80zibXrmFJoLC1aORdytvxkeeDMCPop/TOd6R+o8aJpNeO4AJJAAGSScAAdST4Csj1ztU1OxlWC7s7dJXVXQB2IwzFQTiQjqp8fCl9T0ziC4kDT2UEka8xbmVRCSPunCzAyH2MSPZWajsxlSl/zdJe57+hR3R8iX4wmfUY1/a5GeS2fvo7vd3caunVIiRmYtjby9XpluWK0jh3WVu7WG4Q8pEVsfetj1lPtVsqfaKxuw7S9UkuWsYbK29Ij3qY9zBV7v4QH74F5ew11ba5rWjRTzTWUK2rzCVkD5WFpCA3d7ZCVVmwcHIBPhmuw4XRdjwdU46ivy89v5mCbT5jzts4Ylv7+2ihMYdbaWRVkbYZSr5KRnHrPjnt8gTy51h19pU0O3vopIt43L3iMm4ea7gMj2itti401XWLeQwabZz2xdoyJWOcgA+MqkEBlO4Y9hqsTQ3a3wg1C6uNPC27yjbcSXCqgHwV3ysRu2Y27jkgcq25jM/0PQZryZYbeMyOxxgdB7WJ5KOvM+VbXwtwc9owsLUQG6kgWXUJpczLEm8BIYgoAViGZufXaD5YrGg3es3rv+1s100IJUzSmKJTn3YDDOcKWIz4VZ9G0HiHT0Ywx2c5Zi8hZt80rHnl3YqzHwHOgNmdgASeQHMnyFfPeu616bdzXPPax2RAk8oU5Jjy3HL4/nVK6z2xyz2s1lPbta3jkQvnO0RvnvDhvWU7MgDn8IEGqbpRur2Qw6fbmXZgFzyRR0GSSFX3nnjpWStpPbN7wedGPN5F75Lkl1bZdOze+7u/aM9J4T+XCcj/gZ/orVQax607NtcikjmT0XfGd6rvHUggqeWDkEjr41Kw9p91aTrBq9p3BbksyZ2Hwz1IYZxkqeWelcV2g4Tfff+Jx1vlzXny/kxZmVTdfKde9P1NNaQnrXNZjo3G2s30ZmsrG2eIOyZL88rjIOZV8CPDxpabjTVrWa2W/s7eKO4mSEMjknLEA4xI3QHPOtLbwDiE1356fzIatgaRTi3tC3M8hStraeJ+inoFbHg/Z9SSuyPkvuWWW+SOY4wByruiiu4jCMFqK0iMFFFFXAKKKKAK8Jr2mt9GSMjwqNlXOmp2Jb15FYrb0Oc0nPGSORxUWJD5n6aUW7YeNcwu0uPanCyLRn8FroY/2g8FmxkM8S/5tI3rAdIJGPUf+2xP+6eXQimPB/FRsJTvybWQ5lXr3THl3yjy++A69eorbrmVJUaOVA6OCrKeYYEYIIrDeLOFzYTBBlreQnuHPPH/sufFgM4P3Q9oNSYX4uXBwjLvbXNebX3RKrl3l3J/JkxrfEkVhxAt3MHaFrQBWjXfkt0xzAI99ajwfxnBqULTW+/armM71CncFVugJ5YYVl3Z3xf6O6Wk7fvLsBA5P8E7H+CP81ifVPgeXTGLB2BfxO7/Hpf7EdbPh0pRj4DXKCWpeq/01rmQ7oOEuZbuMuOLfTI43uRIRIxRe7UMcgZ55I8KzvgXiWK/4lnuIN4jaywN67WyrQg8smpjtqYB9KJOAL+IknljmKYcKapHccTzvC4kT0HbvGSpKvEDtP3Qz4jlU12tXKvu8mm9/Brl8zFrlsuvab8U33zEn1Vx2WfFFl8yPrNTWv6Mt3bTW7llWVChZcZAPiMjFecO6ItnaxW6MzLEoQM2NxA88ACs5Qwnt9+OLb8Xh+3lr6Gr557ffji2/F4ft5a+hqAwXgn+Vt385efWa2fijRRd2c9u3/mxsgz4MR6p9zYPurGOCf5W3fzl59Zre6AzD9j3CU02ZWBDLdzKQeoIjiBH01Q+3q3MmswRjq8EKflSuP763HhvQfRWu8clmunuF/rI4t3/MV6x3tb/lHYfJaf8AUNQG5aXpsdvDHDCoSONQiqPAD6yepPiSarfBHHRv7i/iMYQWs3dKwJO9cuuTnocxk+8eVW6vnfh3ia+0+71F7awkuUnuZPXEcxUd1LKORRSDzY5+SgLT+yK0FGtIbtVAljlWIsMAmNwxwT44YDHluPnVr7HtKWDSLXaADIpmcjqzOScn2hdo91ZR2g9ol/d2Tw3OnPbxloyZSk6gFWyBl1A59K0nsR4ljudMiiDDvbcGJ0zz2gnY2PIqQM+YNASUfHbNrTab3Q2LB3hkJO4vhWwB027Wx8tNO2zT0l0e4LAExd3Ih8VYOoyPlVmHvpxxr2di8f0m2nktLxU2CaMkB1+8kAIOPaDn5cAVimpQ38dz6FrF7eRRS8t+9ponGRg82AK5xz6jxFWykopyfkDSv2OkmdMlHldSfpiiP66V7Y5P850ZfO+Q/kvGP+6m37H+Luor+DOe6uiM+fq7c+X3FK9qq79V0RD076VveDEf7qsssUa3P0W/2Kpc9Go7xRvFQ1e7jXGLtWv/AB/uSPA95M7qM1DBj5muhMfM1mj2rq/ugyngMmKKiRdN50tHqB8R9FT6O0eJa9Pa+Ja6ZIkKKSFyvnRW6WXQ/wC9fUxd1iteEV7RUhrfJlCKuYtreykak7yHcPaKjK8t47gfhchuK9mXNE2uXeQUy1nR47qF4Zl3I4wfMHwZT4MDzBp7RWlrslVJTg9NGQwXWtDktpmtrj1uWUkxhZo8/CHkw5AjwPurQP2Ow/8AD7j8bf7KKpzjLhNb+ARl+7dW3pIFyynBGAfAEkZ9g+iE/Y8RlbC5U9ReSA/KI4q9Q4Jmxy6nJfm5bXv9fmYMiTaSYr23QhzpasAytfRqykZBBwCCPEEUloKBeKZgoAA08AADAADRcgB0FL9tHw9K/H4vrFI6L/Kqf8QH9uKpc5P8dBeXcl/MTAvyl84u1lrSyuLhArNFGzhWzgkeBxzrng7W2vLG3uHVVaWMOVXO0Ek9M86Y9pvxTffMSfVXHZZ8UWXzI+s1siwyLt9+OLb8Xh+3lr6Gr557ffji2/F4ft5a+hqAwXgn+Vt385efWa2biDWhbCBj8GS4igPs73KqfyttYzwT/K27+cvPrNXft3mKaUWU4ZZ4GB8iGJB+mgNErA+1v+Udh/8Aaf8AUNW18OauLq0guF6SxI/yFgNw9xyPdWEdul53Wt28v+jigf8AIlc/3UB9EVn3ZTxIsrXtoEYNb3NwzMSNrd9cTEYHXljxq+Wl0siLIjBkdQysOYZWGQR7qpHZ9wLNY3mozSshS5l3RBSSdu+Rsty5H1wMew0Ah28fE8vzkP8AbFZNwrwFq0ndX9gqRbgSjJKq5AJU7lY9CQcg8jWs9vHxPL85D/bFL9iWorLo9uFPOIyRuPJg7N+lWU++hXb1oV4T46la4FhqMaQ3ojDr3bBo5lwSSMfBbAJK+QJHlS3a1w+l1pdzuUF4Y2njbGSrRgscfKoK++mV9wHO/EEOoBkEEcWCMneW2SJtxjp64Oc+Bqd7Qb1YtLvXc4Ho8yjPizoUUe9mA99Chm37Gy43JfAnJ3wsefM7hJz/AEVJ9oJ38Q6Sg+5SST9LH/sqrdhfDUs8NzJDeTWp7xEYRrEwcBSQTvU9NzdPOpjijQ5bXWtJeS7luXkaWPdIsa7UXHqjYBnPeN1qLmb/AA9mv8ZfwXR6o02iiu0hJ6CvHqqLLXqEWye2l1OKKeR6f5mnMdso6CuhxezWTbzs9lGJ3JdCOS3Y9BS6aefE0/xXtdLj9m8WvnPcmYXdJjQaePbRTuitn/wvE/wRZ35eoUUUVsiwDUbeQYOfA1JVzIgIwa1nE8CObS4Pr5MvhLushqKUnh2nFJ15RfROix1zXNE5Pa2FZboWka5pomis47R45Jnmy7AtlsDxZcclHKtSoqdw7iluA5OtJ71vfuLZwUupgWvcaalfPB6QkCm1nEgUKyESIfguCxPh05VZYLm+uL06npawFmgW3limYbonG0upGRnmoIbPMH6JrtF4ML5vLZcyqP36NR/DIv3Q85FH0jl4CqJoOvPazLcQesCAJI84E0fl7GXmQfA8vGu4rzXlwWRTrva0t+TfVP465MKiLjy6lu1iTiG6glt5YbIJKhRiGAOD5HvDg+6vNFbiG0t4reKGyKRKFUswJwPM94PqrQdK1WO5hSaFtyOMg+PtBHgQeRHgad1z9nabNrm4yjFNeWn9zH4MTF+J+BtY1Gdbm4S1WSNFRQjgAhXZhnmeeWPjVpOt8S/6Gx+kf4lX+isa7U5npH6P7jwYmN6dwdrUF9JqEaWpnkMhZS4KAyfCwMj66kOJdO17UoPR7mOzSMsrEqwBBU8ujn6q1Sin9U5mukfo/uPBiZZokWv6baiCFLR4Yt7BnYEhSSx6uOXM8sVSdXubjU7hbm9EQzCIx3Yxy5lTgk88sa23ji87rT7pvHumQfLJ6g/SwrIo0wAPIAfRXY9n8y3PqlZclyeuRveC8NqyLHKzmoinC3GepaYvdRbLm3B9WOTOUBOTsIIK/JzHsp5r/afqt2UEccdqiOkmFbJcowYB2J5rkDkAM+OaY0V0XgRN1Ls1iuW05Jem19j3ifjHVNQt2t7hbYRsysSgIbKnIwdx+qo/RZ7zTZTLYSgBsb4n5o+PMHkfHB5EZ60/oqvgxMsezuGouPPn575r4FiTtv1Hbg2EJf74OwX8ncT+mq3qmrX+r3FvFfSCOB5o17mLkoyfhYySTjPNicZ5V1TnSP45Z/jMX1mo2VDw6Zyi+aTNfldn8fHplYpSbS89fYmtE4f1jS2uE0+O1eGSUuveNlgOijmy49XFSFtw9rF9f2VxfpbJHau7AxsMkOBnkGbPNV8vGtEpaC5K/JXn+J2inZLwsnXdfLaX88zkpVa5oeQ2QHXnTgCmJ1yEEgvzXkRtbrg8unM8j08jQNdh5+v06+q/njly58wenlXZ42PTTBeEkkR22+o/opg+uQjOXxjPg3hnJ6cxyPPx8K9Otxchu5k4wFcnOcEYAzyIOfLxqUWj6io8a7DkjceWOe1sczjrjzwPlI866OsxDGWIyquMq49Vs7fDkTtbl15GgH1FRjcRxAkfvh9oikI9xC4NeUBKUUUUAUUUUAz1DoKYUUV5j2k/WP4ImVflCiiiucMwVg2uIFv75VACic4A5AZUE4Hhk5NFFdZ2e/Jb8v5L6v8AuIt/Y3Id18uTtEkTBc8gWQ7iB0BOBk+OBWlUUVruO/rZfBfwjGvMKKKK0hUKKKKAqfag3/h7e2W3B9o71T9YH0VmlFFeqdkv0b+LOs7O9J/IKKKK686oKKKKAKc6R/HLP8Zi+s0UVEzv08//AJf8Gv4n+ln8DbqKKK8JfU85F7OzRt25EOeuVBzyPXl7T9Jp41hGQQY0wRjG1enXHTzoor1ngz/6OBBs/MyF0K1R5bveiticgblBwNg5DPQczy9pqa9Bjznu0z57VzzJz4eZP0mvaK2xjOBpcPL96j5dPUXl19ntP0102nxnOY0Oevqrz69eXtP00UUB42mxHmYoz/uL+qiiigP/2Q== 

50 Common Things You Probably Didn't Know There Were Words For

NIBLING. You have no idea how long I've needed a word to collectively refer to my nieces and nephews. No. IDEA.


14 Amazing Bookish Halloween Costumes

Seriously, though, the hobbit toddler. ^_^

Fans rejoiced at the news there would be a Labyrinth sequel.

 http://rack.1.mshcdn.com/media/ZgkyMDEzLzA3LzA1LzBhL2V4Y2l0ZWRiYWJ5LjlhZWY3LmdpZgpwCXRodW1iCTEyMDB4OTYwMD4/f01f5d34/cc5/excited-baby.gif


The next day, the fan hearts broke when they found out there really wasn't

 http://media3.giphy.com/media/JhiWfgQtSDO6Y/200.gif
 Now that's just cruel.

 

This amazing bookish pep-talk that needs to be read by everyone.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/9313_535503883190224_1815992283_n.jpg

 

Last but not least, the return of my favorite sketch comedy show, Studio C, and they FINALLY DO A DOCTOR WHO SKETCH.

Let's be honest, guys. That's a pretty decent imitation.




All right, folks, that's it for now. The next PlotNo installment will be up Thursday, so look forward to that. Have an excellent week everybody!

Thursday, October 9, 2014

PlotNoWriMo: Brainstorm

Arr, look at that horizon. A brainstorm's a-brewin, matey!

I apologize this is up so late this morning *coughcough* -afternoon. Things got a little crazy when I came down with a fever, but no fear! I'm doing much better, and Step Two in the plotting process is here.

Brainstorm 





This second week is aimed at fleshing out The Idea from week one, with the dual goals of providing you with enough material for a novel and filling in the inevitable gaps and holes of The Idea.

Brainstorm like the wind, my plotters!

Ask any questions in the comments below or with #PlotBender on Twitter. Heck, let's make this a party. Let me know how you're doing and whether you've discovered more effective ways to plot.

PlotNoWriMo Schedule:


Thursday, October 2, 2014

PlotNoWriMo: The Idea

Confession: I've never been very good at plotting and planning and organizing. Especially organizing. *shudder*
 
O, the messiness!

These three things happen to be very important for (successful) writing. I realized it's the reason I've been having such a hard time finishing my book. I didn't know enough solid, sorted details about what was coming next. Without that, I felt like I was stumbling in the dark.

Having never been good at the plotting and organization thing, I turned to the Internet. No single suggested method worked quite to my taste, so I wound up cobbling my own process. It's been working wonders for me, and with NaNoWriMo just around the corner... Well, I couldn't resist sharing.

This is that process.


Introduction



The Idea



The first week is focused on getting that story idea from your head to paper. Write down your idea. All of it. Every thought you have about your future story and its characters.

PlotNoWriMo Schedule: