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possible opening - Slippery Oct. 30th, 2005 @ 04:39 pm
My nano novel will be called 'The Memoirs of Haraito 'Slippery' Shippe, Intergalactical Exterterrestrial Private Investigator'. Or 'Slippery' for short.

I've already changed how I think I'll start the story several times, here is my current version.

( snip - short possible intro )

There are several people who have this account friended. If you wish to be able to see the story as I post it, reply to this post and I will give you access.

Aug. 15th, 2005 @ 03:35 pm
Reminder:

Folks who requested to read Yarrow need to do so. Generally, I like to see a comment on each or most chapters, this lets me know that you read it. If/when you stop making comments, it also tells me where you lose interest. If everyone stops on chapter 3, it gives me a clue that something needs to be done with that chapter ;)

I also take people off the friends list frequently. I keep these stories locked pretty tightly. If you're not able to read it, it would be helpful to know.

Yarrow has been reviewed and edited by an editor, even though the verison you see hasn't been. All grammar and spelling errors have been caught in my current word document. Don't worry about critiquing. Past that point. But I'd love to hear what you liked or didn't like about it.

Thanks for your time.

feath

Yarrow (aka The Blood Blossom Killer) Aug. 3rd, 2005 @ 10:53 pm
Okay. This is the version I'm sending out to an agent. It is final draft, if a little on the short side at 59,000 words.
This isn't here for critiquing. My editor will be looking at it next, and she will make any corrections that need to be done.
This is for (I hope) your enjoyment.

If you would like to read it, and I know you (IE you're on [info]feath's flist), reply here, and I'll add you.

Here goes!

Nov. 12th, 2004 @ 03:54 pm
Okay. This nano is looking like a bust, at least, where Pretty Ponies is concerned. PP requires deep consintration to keep the plot straight. As I'm getting interupted on an hourly bases, and when I'm not getting interupted, I EXPECT to get interupted, which still manages to ruin any possibility at writing.

So I'm shelving PP until later. There's no way I'm going to be able to do it.

Today, I had a rather large blow up with hubby over the interuptions. I'm still angry, which doesn't help writing, at all. So what I'm going to do is this.

I'm going to write another story for nano. One that is free thought, requiring no planning, plotting, or ... um, effort, except for putting it to the page. It is one I'd started to do before, but stopped to start on PP. I had gotten about 3k into it before stopping, so I'll now consider that world building.

I've started it over, and will continue with it instead of PP. As I don't care how this thing goes, its basicly for nano disiplen, I don't expect any feed back on it at all. It's just a play story. Practice.

So feel free to ignore anything coming from this account.

Feath

(oh, I'll be doing the old, she closed the book and went to bed thing, keeping the old word count.)

Nov. 8th, 2004 @ 04:51 pm
Yesterday, I was bad. I edited.
I added Guilty into the story, where they took him with them, not left him behind. (and James is watching Yarrow)
It gave me 100 words, exactly.
And then I didn't write another word at all. And I haven't yet today, either, although I keep trying.

I keep pictureing Guilty in a tutu. Yes, I will put it in. >:)

Pretty Ponies Oct. 31st, 2004 @ 02:31 pm
I will be posting Pretty Ponies in this journal as I write it. It encourages me to write, when I know people are reading it. If you wish to read it (comments warmly welcomed!) post to this thread, and I'll add you.

Pretty Ponies


8,007 / 50,000
(16.0%)

flist trim Sep. 19th, 2004 @ 04:51 pm
Those who've never posted to this account, indicating an active interest, and/or not having replied to 'are you reading this?' have been removed from friend status.

Nano 04 is coming up. "Pretty Ponies" is the working title of my nano04 novel. It will be a Whitechapel and Hornblower novel.

I post it as I write it, first draft, worts and all. It is an incouragment to me to do so. It also encourages me when people comment. If you wish access, comment to this post.

Warning lable - Yarrow Jul. 6th, 2004 @ 12:43 pm
I just realized I should probablly put up a warning lable for Yarrow.

Yarrow is a murder mystery. There are some graphic scenes -- although I don't think they are THAT graphic -- on the other hand, sometimes I don't realize how well I'm doing it :)

Mainly though its a psychological thriller. We get into the mind of a deeply distrubed person. Although they don't KNOW they are deeply disturbed. :)

To ballance it out, there is a great deal of humor.

Jul. 5th, 2004 @ 04:59 pm
Okay. Since I found out how to correctly count my MS, I find Yarrow is at 86k. Which means, I don't need to rip the stuffing out of my couch (if I had one) to pad the story. That means, I'll be posting as I do small edits. That means, it's going to be going up pretty fast.
You don't need to read it, of course, and I don't really want critiques -- don't worry about that. If you do read it, I would like to hear your thoughts -- a readers thoughts. Of course, if you see a plot hole big enough for a mack truck, mentioning it would be good. Or a nasty typeo. Plot holes so small only a nat can squeeze through (if greezed) don't need to be mentioned.

Chapter one coming soon. Thanks for reading. :)

Jul. 4th, 2004 @ 03:16 am
ask to be friended if you wish to read snips from Yarrow

April Fools Apr. 2nd, 2004 @ 06:56 am
Forgot to post a public notice. Currently working on my April Fools project, Return the Dragon.
Return the Dragon is a full length novel that I will be posting as I write it. It is 1st draft, rought and unseen by critiquer (or me). Straight from my murky mind to you.
As Nanofeath is friends locked, you will need to knock and ask permission. Having the secret handshake will facilitate your acceptance. If you don't know the secret handshake, 'add me' will generally work. Donations always accepted.
Current Mood: busy

new story Feb. 27th, 2004 @ 02:00 pm
I have put up The Wailing Stones for review. If you are not on my f-list, and would like to critique it, please ask.
Thanks.

beta readers requested Jan. 3rd, 2004 @ 06:30 pm
I have put a short 6,500 word story up, called The Care and Feeding of Your New Pet: Clam Dragons on friend lock. I am looking for beta readers.
If anyone on my friends list would like to read it and give me feedback, leave a mesg here, and I will add you.
Looking for general grammar and continuity. What you liked, and what you didn't like, and why.

thanks.

Thank you all Nov. 30th, 2003 @ 08:13 pm
I have greatly enjoyed reading your novels and your entries. This LJ is now going off line.

Two people have expressed an interest in finishing my rough draft of Everyman's Journey and they will find themselves still friended. Everyone else is gone.
If you wanted to read it, but missed my previous post about it, reply here, and I will add you back until you are done.

Those who find me just utterly facinating, and wish to continue to read my entries, you can find me over at [info]feath. You are welcome to friend me. I may or may not friend you back, please don't go postal on me if I don't. I have just cleaned out THAT friends list too, and find the sleeker, lesser 'friends' list to slug through more comfortable than the mass I had. Nothing personal, really.
Current Mood: tired

Nov. 28th, 2003 @ 12:56 pm
Now that I'm done with nano, who wishes to be removed from my friends list? I wont be using this account that much, maybe for short story postings, or updates on this nano, but not really again until next year.

Nanowrimo London on BBC Radio Nov. 27th, 2003 @ 04:32 pm
(cross posted on [info]feath sorry)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/radio4_aod.shtml?youandyours

About minute 12.

Our nanowrimo group got interviewed by the BBC Radio.

It will only be up for a week, so if you want to hear it, jump on over. I'm so juiced! With the possible exception of me (please, did they HAVE to replay the 'ego trip' comment so many times?) it came out pretty good. My 15 seconds of fame.

You will find me, thewhitecrow, soursebook, immoline, Socratic, and Eldar (nano handles), in it, and they all sound great!

Congratulations you guys, I guess that makes us all offically real writers! hehehe
Current Mood: chipper

Eid Mubarak Nov. 24th, 2003 @ 07:27 pm
When you stand in the street of an Islamic country and watch the flow and ebb of the people, when you feel the heat of the sun on your shoulders, and smell the dust of the earth; when the aroma of the roast the street vendors are cooking teases your nose, along with the dusky musk of tethered donkeys; when you hear the laughter of children playing an unknown game and high over head the scream of a hunting eagle. You watch the cars go by in daring acceleration, whole families on a single Honda 150, and busses that have more mirrors than any shrine. When you hear the rise and fall of an unfamiliar language, in the thousands of tints that is the human voice; you know you are alien.

( Sorry, forgot the cut )
Eid Mubarak
Current Mood: drained

Worldbuilding Nov. 22nd, 2003 @ 11:17 am
I was thinking (sometimes a dangerous thing), about worldbuilding. I once took a small online worldbuilding class, and was really disapointed. They were talking about science -- earth science. Slip streams and weather patterns and such. I was disapointed because I didn't need to learn about EARTH science. Not that I know everything (ha! be quiet), but because I could look that up, if I needed it.

What I wanted to learn was WORLDBUILDING. How it all fits together. I don't need to worldbuild 'earth', I need to worldbuild a fantasy world.

So, I was watching the rain this morning, thinking about ... rain. What would a world be like, if it was always raining. Not necessarily a heavy pouring rain, but like today in London, a soft patter of rain.

First, I figure there would be moss on everything. No building (or natural item, like cliffs or trees) over 2 years old (or less if its a warmer climate than London), would be covered in soft, hairy moss. Deep green to pale yellow, maybe since its a world with a great deal of moss, even really beautiful type mosses, blues and oranges and peach flames. And they would perhaps become sapient, consuming food by laying in it, or surrounding it, and walking (or rolling) around bloated.

There would be lots of rivers, lakes, and pools of water. The oceans whould cover most of the planet. There would be lots of mosquitoes, and other water born insects. And because there are a lot of mosquitoes, there would be a lot of frogs, thousands of frogs...and frogs could also be sapient. And spiders, and other things that prey on small flying insects -- birds! It would be a very noisy, busy world.

Your additional thoughts welcome.
Current Mood: geeky

All done? Nov. 19th, 2003 @ 09:18 pm
If so, please go take this poll. It will help me alot. You may leave comments. You may do it anonomously.

Thanks, everyone.

I will be returning to my usual LJ, [info]feath. You may not see me much over here, except to check on friends list nanos.

Last public post Oct. 31st, 2003 @ 06:31 pm
This is my last public post. Hi. If you want to see the journal, post to this note, and I will add you. Otherwise, I wont be seeing you, I do not check the friends section on this LJ.

You come to the [info]nanofeath and knock lightly on the door...
BOOM BOOM BOOM
*Creeeeeeeeek*
A voice echos from the darkness:

"Welcome to Everyman's Journey. Please take a ticket and wait in reception. Did you remember your handbook?"
Current Mood: good

As I lay dozing at night Oct. 30th, 2003 @ 04:08 pm
I run through my outline in my head. I think about the stories I will be putting where, small bits of character developement (as they are all shorts, there wont be deep characterizationing (is that a word?)) I've read a great deal, but even more, I have my husband, who is a great fount of information. All I have to do is say 'What happens (insert time frame)' and he will be off and running. I only have to find a way to keep him on subject, and brief! He can go on FOREVER. lol.

I'm ready for nano, I think.

Then, too, I'm thinking I will also do other shorts, from my [info]musemuggers community, as well as maybe another short ebook kind of thing. Variaty is the spice of life, and Everyman's Journey could get pretty depressing. Plus, there are bound to be times when I just can't think of anything. Better to have a something to fall back on.
Current Mood: contemplative

more Oct. 24th, 2003 @ 03:38 pm
Did more reading. Really feel bloated. Sometimes I feel like I'm doing TOO much. Like I'm getting burned out on the story even before I write it. I've been seeing posts in [info]nanowrimo with other people basicly changing their story already because they got bored with the one they were going to work on. Mine hasn't got to that point, and I can't really let it, but I've been thinking (dangerous, I know)
I could write a second story at the same time. A 'just for fun' story. Cause the nano I chose, Everyman's Journey is work. =( I want SOME play time with nano.

It's a week until nano. NOT a good time to change the game plan.
Current Mood: cranky

Bad, very bad Oct. 22nd, 2003 @ 04:23 pm
That's bad bad, not cool bad. Nothing done much in the last couple of days. Bad! Bad feath! No biscut!
I've been messing with my web page, trying to get it to change hosts. I've been playing with the kitty, and I've been reading -- lots of reading, but NOT the stuff I should be reading. =( Oh, and getting movies. Lots of movies. And books. All good things, mind you, but not conductive to getting nano done.

I did do some playing around with an excell sheet, to track my nano stuff. If anyone needs a good one, I've got an online link for it. just ask.

Oh, and my cat now has her own LJ ... [info]shahhe she's such a tease.
Current Mood: busy

Limbering the ol' muse muscles Oct. 20th, 2003 @ 11:09 pm
Haven't done much for my nano, spicificly, but I have been writing every day. And I find I'm getting quick flashes of ideas that I know I will be able to work in, so thats cool.
Current Mood: listless

The days are buttered Oct. 20th, 2003 @ 12:21 am
and slip right by.
Went to the London Nano Meet and greet, and had lots of fun.
I have done a bit of reading, but havent found much of anything I need for the book. I am starting to get a tad concerned over plot developement. There are some bits I know very well, but others need a bit of work.
It's the 20th, so I got 10 days to get off my ass and finish up the planning part.
Current Mood: ditzy
Current Music: Bad Girl -- by hubby

Today Oct. 14th, 2003 @ 07:47 pm
Got nothing done - nano wise. =( But I did a lot of bonding with my new kitten. =)
Current Mood: tired

Or this one Oct. 12th, 2003 @ 09:51 pm
When I KNOW I'm being a hack, and to write is something I should do: Nevermore!
Current Mood: amused

icons Oct. 12th, 2003 @ 09:49 pm
Just showing off the icon's I got from [info]beautifuletdown. This one is for when I'm working to a clock. Like now: 18 days 2 hours and 10 minutes until nano.
Current Mood: accomplished

I am in so much trouble.... Oct. 11th, 2003 @ 07:38 pm
I wrote a short story today for my [info]musemuggers community. What we do is take a story idea, and everyone does a story by it. With 30+ members, its still pretty new (and not enough people partisipate :( ) but anyway, back to the subject.
I got my story done today, and I'm exhausted. My fingers hurt, my knees hurt, and all I want to do is lay down.
It was 2,200 words long, and I'm exhausted.
How the heck am I going to be able to do this every day for 30 days?? I'm out of condition! I'm thinking of trying to do a short story every day until nano, if anything to get my fingers back into the condition of being able to type that much.
Like Rocky I need to start punching sides of beef. Skip rope and squeeze a little rubber ball. Maybe practice yelling 'Aidrian!" But man, I just gotta get back into writing shape.
At the point I'm at now, I'll never make it.

Lets crunch some numbers:
1667 words a day for 30 days will get you 50,010 words.
But what if you know you're going to lose a couple of days?

2000 words a day for 25 days will also get you 50k. That gives you five days off.

how about 2200 words, like I did today? 23 days.

What I WANTED to do was 3334 words a day -- for 100,000 at the end of the month.
Thats a LOT of words. with 3334 a goal, I MAY make the 1667 wordage.

It would help if my fingers didn't hurt.
Current Mood: crazy

nada Oct. 9th, 2003 @ 11:33 pm
Did absolutly nothing for the novel today.
Current Mood: lazy

posted in a friends LJ Oct. 8th, 2003 @ 05:23 pm
I know its good natured ribbing, those friends who are teasing me because I have so much done but I responded with a harsh and frightening truth. But I thought perhaps all my friends should see it, for is not beauty truth?

***
nanofeath wrote:

*throws up her hands*

It's fear pure and simple. If I am not preparied, NOTHING will happen. I will sit there at midnight Oct 31st, at a pure, pristiline blank white sheet of Windows word document, and not one blasted thought will enter my mind.

I can feel it; the sludge of non productivity creeping over me... feel it... feel it... like fiver in Watership Down, I will drown in it...

ack!
Current Mood: nervous

Aagh Oct. 8th, 2003 @ 05:10 pm
Notice the new icon. That's called procrastination.

The outline is an overbloated water buffalo, just waiting for me to turn my head, so it can trample all over me, gleefully proclaming it won. It's just too much, too much toomuchdamnit. and its only HALF DONE.

So I've just shuffled it over to world building, where it can sit and be productive, rather than an anvil around my neck.

That means my outline is a slim trim ZERO again, but that's ok. This time I will CONTROL myself. There will be no more than 5...okay, 10, subsection per chapter. consiting of NO MORE than 1 line.

*feath pulls up her sleaves* common, you bloody outline, wressle you and IM GOING TO WIN THIS TIME. show you!
Current Mood: cranky

research - world building/outline Oct. 8th, 2003 @ 02:24 pm
World building: words: 5205

Outline: 452 lines (alot of it is snips from world building to remind me of what I want)

Complaint: my fingers hurt

What did I do today? Typing paper books highlighted sections into world building/outline.

Interesting tid bit of research to share: "Gabriel! Bring Hell to Us!" Thither he goes, and finding it raging and furious, says 'Obey, Hell, the command of your Creator and King!' and the Inferno does not delay in obeying his summons, but flares up and boils, sighing and braying at mankind, who hear its raging and its sighing clearly. Then there emerge the Guardians of Hell, bounding towards mankind in rage...

I am a Fantasy fan, and can see this so well...Thanks to Holywood movie makers who have used this theme so many times =D
Current Mood: energetic

research - world building/outline Oct. 7th, 2003 @ 08:36 pm
World building: nothing new typed, but lots and lots read and highlighted. Will be typing it into my system tomorrow.

Outline: ditto no change.

Complaint: headach

What did I do today? Finished researching Hell and Heaven. Funny, Hell took me three days. Heaven took me 1 hour. Subject matter had a lot to do with it.

Interesting tid bit of research to share: A while ago, I was asked if cats would be found in heaven. I believe I have found a direct answer.
( behind a cut, so my question on 'feath' doesn't get spoiled )

research - world building/outline Oct. 5th, 2003 @ 06:15 pm
World building: words: 3100

Outline: 280 lines

Complaint: will the reading never end?

What did I do today? Researching Hell right now. I feel slightly sick. I've never been able to watch horror shows, I just get too caught up in them. How in the (excuse the expression) hell am I to write this stuff? I'm not a horror writer! The only thing I can think of is, I'm going to have to be really depressed, or in a gorey mood to write this with the...flippit of black, evil, pulsating puss filled torture that it deserves. I found it interesting that the Angel of Death's name is Israel. Not to be confused with Hell, who is an Intity, and is under Micheal's charge.

Interesting tid bit of research to share: "God ordered Hell to be stoked up for a thousand years until it became red: then it was stoked up for a further thousand years until it turned white; then it was stoked up for another thousand years until it became black." (I just loved the emagery here. Everyone expects a red hell. All that fire. But a white hell? Or even black, so hot its beyond white, and into black. wow.)
Current Mood: sick
Current Music: too much information!

research - world building/outline Oct. 4th, 2003 @ 05:03 pm
World building: words: 2425

Outline: 230 lines

Complaint: too much reading! (it's still true!)

What did I do today? more research. Starting to see the continutity patterns. (even though my research has records all over the place, I'm starting to see each step in its proper order.)

Interesting tid bit of research to share: 'even every jot and tittle.' I had never heard that expression before, and I love it. You will no doubt see it in the finished work. =D

forgot the opening line, but remember the overall impression. *sigh* I knew I would.
Current Mood: groggy
Current Music: my fingers hurt!

Rambling Oct. 4th, 2003 @ 10:18 am
I see on [info]nanowrimo a lot of post by virgin nanos (what would we do with out them?) and thats really great! Thats what nano is all about, pulling in people who has never writen a book, and giving them the support they need to do it.

( BUT! )
Current Mood: working
Current Music: Getting that off my chest.

Thought of a Blurb for the 'back of the novel' Oct. 3rd, 2003 @ 03:29 pm
What is on the other side of 'forever and a day'? When all the Sons of Adam will rise, and all the shades of each creature ever born; when demons rub shoulders with dinosaurs and Jinns mingle freely once more? What happens when Sol extinguishes its light, and Luna crumbles to dust? What happens when the earth is shaken out like an industrious housewife's sheet?

What will be the Angel of Deaths very last, long awaited duty?
Current Mood: busy

research - world building/outline Oct. 2nd, 2003 @ 07:17 pm
World building: words: 1118

Outline: 121 lines

Complaint: too much reading!

What did I do today? researched historical background. highlighting a great many passages of historical fact. typed highlights into world building document.

Thought of an opening line that I hope like hell I don't forget.
Current Mood: contemplative

Reply here for access to The Novel Oct. 2nd, 2003 @ 02:33 pm
This is where I will be posting the current National Novel Writing Month's work in progress, Everyman's Journey. Tell me when you link to this journal, and if I know you, I will add you to my friends list, so you can see the entry's. It will be strickly friends only on novel sections, but I may leave it public for general hair tearing.

What you see here will be raw footage of a work in progress. It will not be edited, it will not be censored, it may be disturbing. It assuredly will not be pretty. Lets call it a dark work, and be done with it.
Current Mood: creative
Current Music: *rubs hands* WHEN will Nov 1st be here?
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