Thursday, November 19, 2009

NaNoWriMo Day 19: Winner!

Yesterday, NaNoWriMo Day 18, I finished writing chapter seventeen, which is actually the eighteenth chapter of the book (prologue + 17 chapters). At this exciting moment of finishing chapter seventeen, something else happened. My novel ended up being 50,061 words last night. That's right, folks! I took the NaNoWriMo challenge to write 50,000 words of a novel in one month (November), and I completed the challenge. I'm so excited about winning. It's my first attempt at NaNoWriMo. With work and all, I never thought I would be able to get to the 50,000, especially in only 18 days.

A year ago, I would have never believed that I would have one novel finished. In September 2009, I finished writing the first draft to THE PHOENIX PROPHETESS. Six months ago, I would have said that sure, I might can finish a novel, but I'll never be able to write one in a month. Now, I am just seven chapters away from finishing my NaNo novel VIRTUOSO in one month. I am completely amazed by it, and I don't think there is any looking back either. Now that I know I can do it, there doesn't seem to be much stopping me.

Of course, I've realized that I have a hard time summing up a story in just one book. Yssa's story in THE PHOENIX PROPHETESS must be told in a trilogy (PROPHETESS, SORCERESS, QUEEN). VIRTUOSO couldn't even manage to be a single book all its own. My NaNo novel has been branched off into the Riverwood Trilogy: VIRTUOSO (Nadia's story), DOCTOR (Derek's story), and PERCUSSIONIST (Marcus's story). Of the Riverwood Trilogy, each book will continue the story from a different character's point of view. The only book that comes close to being completely on its own is MOONLIGHT MURDERS, but the Liam O'Hare detective novel could turn into a series of its own. But, the main thing is that I know I can do it because I've done it before.

My goal for the rest of November is to finish up the last seven chapters of VIRTUOSO. I would like to have them finished on Sunday, November 22 before my week's vacation, but we'll have to see. I do plan to have it finished at least by November 25, right before Thanksgiving. I figure with seven chapters left that I will have at least 15,000-30,000 more words to write before the end of the month, making the novel between 65,000-80,000 words, which will be a great chunk of words that I can go back to and do my rewrites/edits in the months to come.

On a side note, I sent out "Hounded" again, but it was rejected. The editor stated that the story was too 'cutesy' for his taste. *shrugs* I didn't know murder and abductions could be "cutesy" but oh, well. I have more short stories to send out after this month ends and even more to write.

Also, keep watching my blog, website, and general updates for more information about my writing. "Io Saturnalia" will be out in a couple weeks, and I'll give more details then for how to purchase the story.

2 comments:

Aubrie said...

Congrats on winning!

Too bad that editor thought your story was cutesy. If your story is cutesy, than what are mine???? Happy gummy bears dancing on rainbows?

Anyways, I like the idea of the triolgy told from different character perspectives and I love the names. You're really onto something here. I'll be a proof reader when you feel it's ready!

Cherie Reich said...

Thanks, Aubrie! I know that you'll have a good chance of winning. You can do it! There are still many days left.

*laughs* I know! If "Hounded" is cutesy, what about other stories out there. 'Happy gummy bears dancing on rainbows' that's hilarious!

Thank you about the trilogy! You'll definitely get a chance to be a proof reader once I get to that stage. Today I just figured out how the last book (Percussionist) is going to end. Now, I just have to finish writing all of them! *laughs* I like the idea of different POVs too for each story. I think it is a little different but not too different from other things out there. It'll at least keep it exciting.