The verdict for 2011 “National Novel Writing Month“?

The 2009 record has been broken!

Bad news: it was broken by more of a whimper than a smash.

For the first part of the month the writing [...]]]> “I want to smash my all-time Nano high word count of 160,605 from 2009. Can I do it?”

The verdict for 2011 “National Novel Writing Month“?

The 2009 record has been broken!

Bad news: it was broken by more of a whimper than a smash.

For the first part of the month the writing was going great, despite some problems with the outlines. I hit 50,000 words in a personal best of 6 days. Yay!

Then November 17th hit. Ow, what a hard wall, and there were walls everywhere I turned. The momentum was never the same after that.

It was more than simple momentum. I also realized that the outlines had problems. Many nights I would have to stop to re-outline a problem area. This wasn’t just on one outline, it was on all of them.

This Nano became more than a simple word count challenge. It became a Nano for learning. Before I get to that, here are the final totals:

Total 2011 NaNoWriMo Word Count: 180,415

Projects completed:
A Turn of the Pipes (A Redpoint One Story)
Secret Illusions (Salmon Run)
Spectre of the White Death (Salmon Run)
Aurora Equinox (Salmon Run)
Breakup – Alaska Style (Salmon Run)
The Great Salmon Run Cake Fiasco (Salmon Run Short Story)
From Alexandria to Andromeda (Short Story)
Vaulted Career (Short Story)
The Doppleganger Accountant (Short Story)
Wolf Dance (Short Story)

(Note that Taskforce Zero is not on the above list. Why is explained below.)

A piece of good news is that all the projects started in November were finished in November. I didn’t have to carry any project into December.

The bad news is that the outlines weren’t as good as usual going into November and the writing pace really suffered for it. A series of Nano planning Workshops in late September and all through October probably didn’t help with the outline situation, as I was focused on helping other people. To top it off, I released a new short story in October (Flying Dutchman of the Spacelanes) and then finished the copyedits for “The Phoenix Eggs” so that it could be published in November.

This meant that the time spent on the outlines was not what it should have been. There were whole scenes and sections either thrown out or replotted on every single one of the five longer works written during November.

Ouch!

When I realized that the outlines were a mess, I made the decision to drop the Taskforce Zero books off the writing list. I want to take my time and go through those outlines again to make sure they are as strong as they need to be. The four books I have outlined will be the start of a series, and I want them to be as strong as possible.

Because Taskforce Zero was dropped off the writing schedule, I needed something else to write for the remaining days of Nano. I switched to short stories and made it a goal to write one new one every single day.

I do not view the problems as something to be depressed about (although I found it depressing when the realization first socked me in the middle of the forehead). Instead, I view this as a learning opportunity:

1. I can hit 50k in less than a week if I’m really concentrating.
2. I now know I can write one short story a day. I’d never done that before, so this was a great thing to find out.
3. I need to take more time for myself pre-nano to make sure my own outlines are ready to go. I waited too far into the summer to start. Next year I start earlier!
4. 200k is doable if I have good outlines, as I came really close this year. Now I just need to do the needed pre-prep and get to it! (watch out 2012 Nano!)
5. I’ve come to really enjoy writing several books in one series all in one month. It helps on so many levels: keeping true to the characters, to the world, to the plot, carrying through small details and plot hooks. In fact, I get so immersed that it’s hard to bring myself out of a particular series, which is why the first short story was a Salmon Run story.
6. Having fellow writers to commiserate with and to RAH you on is the greatest advantage any participant in a writing challenge can have. So, thank you to everyone at Forward Motion Chat for all your help, positive words, word wars, 100-word jumps, and simple support. It meant a great deal and got me through the worst of November.

In summary, November could have gone better on the writing front, but it also could have gone much worse considering the state of the outlines. I view it as successful because of the things I learned. They will help me become a stronger writer in the future.

Learning is always a good thing.

____________________

J.A. Marlow

Before I forget, here is the November release I spoke about:

The Phoenix Eggs (The String Weavers – Book 2)

Growing up has never been easy, but most girls don’t have the added complication of having thought she was human only a couple weeks ago.

Meanwhile, Kelsey Hale struggles to find a place for herself among a group of String Weavers assigned the duty of stopping a madman bent on obtaining as many Phoenix Eggs as he can. What he wants with them, no one knows, but considering the raw power contained within it can’t be good. As if that weren’t enough, there’s no time for her training, resulting in a horrific event that jeopardizes her whole team.

Oh, to be only a typical teenager dealing with high school.

So much for that!

A 96200 word, 384 page (approximate), science fiction novel by J.A. Marlow.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

PHP Freelancer

This Nano I discovered a new writing tool to help a writer get their words when they are struggling.

You see, writing a bunch isn’t usually my problem. Obviously, from my word count listed above. The problem is sometimes taking that first step and getting the first 100 words [...]]]> Nano 2011 Current Word Count: 131,412

This Nano I discovered a new writing tool to help a writer get their words when they are struggling.

You see, writing a bunch isn’t usually my problem. Obviously, from my word count listed above. The problem is sometimes taking that first step and getting the first 100 words or so to bring my head back into the story.

The website “Write or Die” is one way to overcome this. You set the time, and you start writing in the text box. If you stop, it will start making noises at you and blinking the screen (depends on the setting). I’ve used this on and off to help me get back into the writing when I’m under a deadline. After I get started, then I typically don’t need it.

But, sometimes I don’t want to be timed. I just need help with the first chunk of words.

Someone out there decided they wanted an alternate. Something without a timer and helped push you forward using positive reinforcement.

Enter “Written? Kitten!”

This has several settings, but the one I like best is the 100-word setting. For every 100 words, the page offers up the picture on the right of a cute kitty. 100 more words? Yet another kitten! No countdown clocks here. Just cute kittens waiting to appear, if only you can find the next 100 words.

Soon, you will find yourself not saying “I wrote 1667 words today” but instead saying “I wrote 16 1/2 kittens today!”

Oh, and are you more of a dog person than a cat person? A group of us were talking it in Forward Motion chat, and one (Hello Fifth!) contacted the makers suggesting a puppy option. The creators answered back the very next day with not only the request, but a bunch more (tip: change the search term in the URL. Warning: some results for things such as ‘dragons’ will not be safe for viewing at work or around children):

http://writtenkitten.net/?search=puppy#
http://writtenkitten.net/?search=squirrel# (I’m loving this one!)
http://writtenkitten.net/?search=horse#

Go, have fun, you crusty ‘ole writers! Go get your kittens! (or puppies, or squirrels, or horses…)

____________________

J.A. Marlow

The String Weavers (The String Weavers – Book 1)

Kelsey Hale thinks she’s just a typical mixed-up teenager. Everyone feels that way, her teachers assure her. Yet, strange things happen to her, like food disappearing before she can eat it and hearing music no one else hears.

Then a giant flaming bird drops an alien at her feet. Well, good grief, how can you ignore something like that?

Abducted from Earth, the only planet she’s ever known, Kelsey finds herself thrust into the middle of a deadly conflict among alien worlds and parallel universe. She must not only survive herself, but also find a way to rescue her father from a dangerous group with unknown motives.

In the process, she’s confronted by a hidden secret about herself which will shake the very foundation of who and what she thought she was.

And connecting it all are the mysterious Weavers.

A 97,100 word, 389 page (approximate), science fiction novel.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

PHP Freelancer

Writer’s Digest has a special limited-time promotion on seven free writing how-to books in honor of Nano. They will be free for download across a number of platforms (Kingle, Nook, iTunes, and others)  from November 6-12.

The link is here: FREE NANOWRIMO EBOOKS

Get them while [...]]]> Nano Update:
Hit 50k on Sunday! New personal record!

Writer’s Digest has a special limited-time promotion on seven free writing how-to books in honor of Nano. They will be free for download across a number of platforms (Kingle, Nook, iTunes, and others)  from November 6-12.

The link is here: FREE NANOWRIMO EBOOKS

Get them while you can!

____________________

J.A. Marlow

A planet-wide conspiracy is waiting at Grandmother’s house…

“Always wear the red hood and cape while you are in the forest,” Grandma admonished.

For a teen with purple and red hair, and an attitude to match, the small claustrophobic city of Oburos grows ever smaller with Uncle Travis’s attempts to take over her and her mother’s life.

An invitation to visit Grandmother’s house, nestled among the giant trees filling the planet, gives Kate a welcome respite. But, there is no time for rest. A conspiracy among the forest inhabitants, moving trees, and other mysteries await her at Grandmother’s house.

Kate learns just how little she knew of the forests, much less its animals. To survive she must learn fast, and that includes trust and teamwork.

And just where was Grandma, anyway?

A Science Fiction 83600, 335 page (approximate) word stand-alone novel retelling of the fairy tale “Little Red Riding Hood”.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

PHP Freelancer

I’ve often said that lower priced or free ebooks can be a good idea, if there is a plan behind them. Lowering a price or making an ebook for free based on emotions (“I’m a new writer”, “No one knows me.”, “I only have [...]]]> Current Nano Counts:
Day 1: 9629
Day 2: 5121
Total: 14750

I’ve often said that lower priced or free ebooks can be a good idea, if there is a plan behind them. Lowering a price or making an ebook for free based on emotions (“I’m a new writer”, “No one knows me.”, “I only have one book out, but I need to get my unknown name out.”) is not a good business, marketing, or promotion plan.

Kristine Kathryn Rusch takes on this very subject today on her blog in an article titled “Free” where she not only talks about a guide to using free for your true benefit, but also the results of one of her publishers putting one of her paranormal romances out for free.

I’ve been waiting for her to reveal the results of her book “Wickedly Charming,” published by Sourcebooks, going free in early October. This is the post! It’s a very interesting read, and I expect the comments to be just as informative as her blog attracts intelligent discussion.

Pop on over and give it a read. You’ll be glad you did!

As for me, I’ve been planning to do this for some time, once I have a bit more backlist up. It is high on the promotion plan, as I’ve seen it work for many authors to use the concept in the right way.

Now to get back to writing a bit more of that backlist. Yay for Nano!

Speaking of new work, we have something new this week! Kat, this one is for you!

Flying Dutchman of the Spacelanes

Sora’s first surprise of the day is finding the legendary Flying Dutchman of the Spacelanes docked at Langdon space station. The second is finding herself trapped onboard the deserted ship. The surprises keep coming with the discovery of alien skeletons… and then a human skeleton…

Sora races to unlock the riddles of the cursed ghost spaceship in a bid to return home before she suffers the same fate. Only to find the true nature of the ship could give her the dream of a lifetime.

A 7880 word, 32 page (approximate), science fiction short story by J.A. Marlow.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

PHP Freelancer

And I’ve already finished and published most of them.

I knew going into this that once I got going I would probably move forward a bit faster than expected. [...]]]> I once had a business plan. I worked several days on it, refining and tweaking various goals. Then I got to the list of the books.

And I’ve already finished and published most of them.

I knew going into this that once I got going I would probably move forward a bit faster than expected. I did not expect just how fast.

The reason?

This whole process is absolutely addicting, but in the most marvelous way. I’m writing all the time. Stories are at all stages of completion and planning. More stories are waiting in the wings, tapping their feet in impatience for my attention.

Then there is what pushed this all into overdrive. The ability to take those stories and get them out into venues where they might find readers. Without having to wait months or years for it to happen, *if* it ever happened.

I went into 2011 hoping to have 8 projects up and available. Right at this moment I have a total of 16, and we still have over two months to go in the year! Yikes! (but that’s a good Yikes!)

I’ve learned a lot, from writing more polished first drafts, to faster revisions, and the final publishing side. It has been a steep and fast learning curve, and I’ve loved every minute of it. All of it has pushed the writing further than I thought possible. It’s amazing what a little hope can do for the motivation. I really don’t think I could have come this far in such a short amount of time without having the ability to find readers.

This means I need to take a serious look at the 1, 5, and 10 year writing business plan. What I once had is now out of date after only eight months. I now have an inkling of what is possible and what pace I can set.

This has changed my view of “National Novel Writing Month” when it comes to my own goals. I knew I would be working on first drafts with the intention of using the results for next year’s releases. After looking over the old business plan the fire burned even hotter.

This Nano I’m hitting it hard. I’m going to write a variety. Enjoy the process. I’m curious to see if what I’ve learned in the past year will translate into even better first drafts (I’m guessing it will).

I want to smash my all-time Nano high word count of 160,605 from 2009.

Can I do it?

Nano Planning

I go into Nano with outlines. This way I’m not bogged down with “What comes next?” It’s just the story, the words, and me, baby! Here is the list so far in the order I think they will be written (yes, it could change at the last minute):

A Turn of the Pipes
Science Fiction Romance set in the same setting as “Coffee Cup Dreams” and taking minor characters in that book to star in their own.

Rachel Henderkito finds unexpected romance with Ignacio Manetti after fishing his newt out of Redpoint One’s plumbing system, but a series of station system failures, and the newt itself, might destroy any future together.

Salmon Run
Science Fiction contemporary adventure/mystery. Yes, the series continues!

Secret Illusions (Book 4)
When the aliens reveal themselves to Zach and Sasha’s families while asking for help it comes with a catch that could cost the Callahans their lodge: a trip to Bermuda.

Spectre of the White Death (Book 5)
Survival training for the Callahans and frantic ship prep for the aliens collide on an Alaska mountain top along with one of the horrors of winter: Avalanche.

Aurora Equinox (Book 6)
Hawk insists on visiting the local aliens after the equinox aurora affects Zach’s translator just when the Bermuda Imperium spacecraft heads north, leading to a deadly secret resting within the Japan Triangle.

Taskforce Zero
Science Fiction Action/Adventure. Yes, this is a new series, this time set in the StarBlink Universe!

Rise of the Syndicates (Book 1)
Crime syndicates battle over turf in the Alliance of World’s capital when a new deadly syndicate arises, employing technology to rival Taskforce Zero’s with the potential of tipping the balance into lawlessness.

A Matter of Jeopardy (Book 2)
Taskforce Zero rushes to protect a newly discovered anti-matter generator from the many crime syndicates who want it, but will an diplomatic adversary from Jei Valtera’s past jeopardize everything?

The Ultimate Jack (Book 3)
Taskforce Zero races to keep an ancient lost fleet from the power-hungry Bellime royal family, but everything hinges on the Team Jack being able to solve the secret of the ships themselves.

Cubes of Memory (Book 4)
Shot down over Newton 3, Taskforce Zero director Gregory McKinley finds himself trapped between the demands of a lost secret and a Kahn Syndicate conspiracy to control the Jump Gates themselves.

———-

After the end of November I plan to take a look at what I accomplishes with Nano, and then revisit the business plan. 2012 promises to be exciting and I want to have a solid foundation going in.

Meanwhile, it’s time to start revving the writing muscles!

Anyone else working on their business plan for the 2012? Or have big plans for Nano?

____________________

J.A. Marlow

Coffee Cup Dreams

She wasn’t supposed to wake up when dead…

During what should have been a simple operation, Tish Douglas died. And yet, she also awoke… in what the doctors called a ‘psi event.’

Despite having no memory of the incident, it means she’s required to go on a life-time course of debilitating drugs designed to reign in her supposedly new psi gifts. She’s left with the option of existing on Earth in a drug-haze, or leave the planet.

When an opportunity for a good paying job on a space station known as Redpoint One is offered, she jumps at the chance. Even though she doesn’t have any experience as a ‘maintenance engineer.’ Even though the station sits in the middle of nowhere, a still-operating construct of a long-gone alien species.

Between pirate attacks, intelligent repair robots, and maintenance emergencies, Tish must find a place for herself.

All complicated by a growing attraction to the one person on the station she can’t have: boss Arthur Getty.

A stand-alone 48400 word, 193 page (approximate), science fiction romance novel.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

PHP Freelancer

And every year I hear the same line, over and over again from [...]]]> With the planning for the upcoming Nano my mind continues to circle back to the basics of writing. At Forward Motion we have several newbies in chat who are working their way through the process of deciding what they want to write.

And every year I hear the same line, over and over again from a lot of new writers:

“I can’t write this idea. It’s been done before! I have to find something else that is original.”

I sigh every time I hear this and then have to patiently explain the below:

Newsflash: There are no new ideas out there.

Which is okay, because the idea itself isn’t what is important. How can I say that?

Boy meets girl.
Loner saves planet/universe.
A desperate fight for survival.
Escape from abuse.
Mystery must be solved to save the innocent accused.

All of the above ideas have been written a thousand times or more. Does that mean none of them should be done again because the idea isn’t original?

A prompt can be given to a room full of writers. For the main character one writer may use a different gender for their MC than another writer. Another a different species. Others, different personalities, traits, or quirks.

This also applies to art. I’ve set out reference material to use for inspiration and composition in front of a group of painters. By the time the paintings are finished one who hadn’t been a part of the challenge would never know they were inspired by the same things (other than perhaps they all had a mountain or a river in them).

What Is Important

It is not the idea that is unique.

It is the execution of the idea that is unique.

This is why no one can copyright an idea. Only the exact execution of an idea can have a copyright. This is why any writer who hears from another person, “I have this great idea. I’ll give you the idea, you write it, and we’ll split the royalties.” laughs their heads off. Because the idea isn’t the part of the equation that is truly valuable. Ideas are a dime a dozen. It is what the writer does with them that makes them valuable.

This is a good thing in another way. If ideas could come under copyright imagine how fast the window of legal ideas, characters, concepts, and so on would shrink down until no one could write anything.

So, stop worrying about the idea. If an idea sings to you, grab it and write it. Worry about what is important: the execution of the idea.

Bring out your unique vision of the idea. Your history, viewpoints, and experiences will come out in the writing. Your unique insight, characters, settings, wording and phrasing, pacing, viewpoint, and dialogue.

No other writer has your writing voice. It is the ‘you’ in your writing. This is what will make your version of the ‘idea’ unique, original, special, and different from what anyone else has written.

This is why I did not worry about the originality behind the idea for the Salmon Run series. It wasn’t important. What I did with it was important and that is where I threw all my creative energy. The same with all my other writing. The ideas behind my stories are hardly original, but what I do with them is.

So, have an idea that has been lurking around your head but you don’t think it’s ‘original’ enough?

Then remember it’s not the idea, but what you personally do with it. The moment you start writing it, it will be all yours. Enjoy the ride!
_______________________________

J.A. Marlow
“The E-Book Experiment” chronicles the business and creative side of an experiment with the business opportunities new technology and creative outlets now afford content producers. Will it fail? Will it succeed? The only way to know is to approach it with a solid plan and try. No regrets!
I hope the details of this journey will be a help to other authors. As the process proceeds to selling the final products I will also share hard data that might be useful in the decision making process of other authors who recognize that only they can take charge of their careers. For a listing of all the posts in this series, please click here.

If you find this information useful or interesting, please encourage others to come on by and visit.

PHP Freelancer

And so much fun!

One big plus to the Indie movement is the ability to write what you love instead of writing to editorial or marketing department demands. This means the readers are [...]]]> The Indie Author. So many challenges, so much to learn. So much to watch out for, so much to take responsibility for.

And so much fun!

One big plus to the Indie movement is the ability to write what you love instead of writing to editorial or marketing department demands. This means the readers are finally getting the variety of novels they have been craving for years but that traditional publishing has failed to give them.

However, with this comes responsibility. A responsibility we, as authors, have always had: TO WRITE!

Find those words. It’s time for the storyteller in you to go into overdrive. You now have an avenue into which to release your work, but first the work must be created.

One way to create new product for your digital bookshelf is to join in various writing challenges. One of the biggest around is “National Novel Writing Month.” Every year authors from around the world join in a challenge to write at least 50,000 words in 30 days in the month of November.

For those of you who love math, that’s an average of 1667 words per day.

And, for those of us who are jumping into Indie Publishing as a business, we already are trying for regular word output, right? Is 1667 words that far above your current goal?

It doesn’t matter if it is. NaNoWriMo is loved (and hated) for many reasons. One of the big things I love about it is the creative energy of joining in on a big challenge with a lot of fellow authors. Wow, what a rush. I can do things I might have trouble doing at other times by myself, such as high wordcounts.

Or, how about the deadline? So much time to get so many words. Of course, those like me have goals higher than 50k, but the deadline is still there. How many drafts can you finish?

This year is the first year I’ll be participating in Nano while also in the publishing business. In a way it hasn’t affected how I view and want to use Nano, but in other ways it has. I have several goals:

1. Have a LOT of fun.
2. Tell a few great stories.
3. Produce several first drafts for eventual publication.

I now have several series published, with more in mind. That means a lot of stories and characters to continue. Using Nano I can nail those new stories and get first drafts finished and ready for revising in 2012. Series typically sell better once 3 or more books are published in them. The more the better. It means a reader who finds and likes the series can go ahead and sink their teeth into sequels without having to wait on the author producing more.

Using Nano to produce is a win-win for me on the Indie side, and a win-win for the readers.

Included in the Nano project list is a new series, which I’m working to outline the first four stories in. Doing something new is important to me, as it will keep this Nano fresh and fun. It won’t be only about previously started series. It will also be about new!

It’s time to do the serious brainstorming. Time to get out the outlines and virtual corkboards and index cards of Scrivener. Time to discover new adventures.

I can hardly wait.

Other Nano News: I’m not the only one gearing up. Lazette Gifford, is the author or the wonderful ebook “Nano for the New and Insane,” a venerable Nano guide that has helped many writers succeed in the Nano challenge of achieving 50,000 words in 30 days. For 2011 she has newly edited the ebook and added several new sections. It’s available for free download in multiple ebook formats at Smashwords.

Lazette’s latest blog post: Zette’s Take: Why Nano?

__________________________

J.A. Marlow

Welcome to Salmon Run, Alaska! A place of wild animals, wild land, and wild inhabitants…oh, and native legends come alive and an inter-planetary alien conflict at their backdoor.

Zach Callahan and his father, Hawk, arrive in Alaska to begin a new life. Anxious to arrive at the lodge crazy Uncle George left them, they find the first challenge is just getting to Salmon Run.

While still in Cordova, an old prospector declares the two greenhorns unprepared for the realities of an Alaskan winter. Sasha, a young native girl, attaches herself to Zach, much to his disgust. A failed sled-dog won’t leave Hawk alone, giving rise to an old phobia. They think they have it made once they get to the Solar Express, the unique train that will take them through a dark road-less wilderness to their new home.

The same night a massive display of the Aurora Borealis lights up the sky.

The Solar Express shuts down, stranding its passengers in the middle of nowhere. Hidden beneath the snow and ice, and under the path of the rescuers, an alien spaceship also feels the effects of the light show.

Cut off from the rescuers and trapped inside the spaceship, Zach and Sasha must ally themselves with a pair of aliens before either the malfunctioning security systems or the native Alaskan wildlife kills them.

A 37800 word stand-alone Novella in the Salmon Run series.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords

PHP Freelancer

A few tweaks, fully develop the ideas already present in the first draft, and it should [...]]]> Today I started revision on Book 3 of the Salmon Run series. The book needs a bit of work, but I was pleasantly surprised during a recent read-through that it’s not as rough as I originally thought it was.

A few tweaks, fully develop the ideas already present in the first draft, and it should be fine. I’m aiming to have the revision finished in 6 weeks at which point I will hand it off to my two editors. Estimate goal for handing it off to the editors: July 10th. If I manage to finish it a bit earlier, even better!

One of the things I want to do is increase the wordcount. The first draft sits at 25500. I would like to bring it up to around 35,000 which is around where the other two books sit (37800 for Night of the Aurora and 35100 for Alien Winter). Considering that I need to flesh out the subplots and I added four scenes to the revision-outline, I should make it.

I’m so excited about the prospect of having 3 books in the series released. For me, that’s a milestone. The characters are really developing, I’m enjoying the town of Salmon Run and the fun with the aliens. Plus, it looks great in the book listings.

It has me rethinking this upcoming National Novel Writing Month. I originally planned to write a new trilogy, possibly writing the first drafts of all three in one month. However, I still have a lot of outlining to do on that series. Writing out the next three books of the Salmon Run series might make more sense, and would be a lot of fun.

I want to see what the characters will be up to next, too!

Then would come figuring out the cover. Hmmm. I’ll have to chew on that as I’m revising.

PHP Freelancer