NaNo Update!

Hi guys! I had planned a big bash of a post to welcome the opening day of Nanowrimo, but I just barely got my word count done for the day, so I didn't have time to write a post too.

A post for day three isn't bad though, right?

So far things are going great. I started out writing Running Crazy in a tablet, since yesterday I was on the move a lot, but tonight I was able to switch it all over onto the computer, and it was a lot easier to pound out 1667 words. My current word count (as of 7:20, Sunday night) is 3550. I know some people are clear up in the five thousand range, but I'm glad to be on track with the average count. So far I have two writing buddies, which is fun. I've got an official excerpt and synopsis set up for Running Crazy on the NaNo website, and I finally found a picture to use for my profile!

 

Beautiful isn't it?

 

Nano is slow to let me update anything, but other than that things are running smoothly. According to Microsoft Word, I have a little over seven pages written so far.

 

Here's an itsy bitsy sneak peak.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, the first line, of my first Nanowrimo novel.

 

“Reeve! Wait up man, I have to ask you something.”

 

And cue the dramatic music playing in the background.

 

Well, I must be off now. I've got some other things to do, but I'll try to get back a few times this week, as I have some exciting news, a fangirl tragedy, and a mini heart attack to tell you all about.

So long!

Monday Minute Challenge Entry!

Hi guys! This is the entry I came up for the Monday Minute Challenge, hosted by Tessa Emily Hall over at Christ is Write. The prompts were great, and I ended up using the three objects, coupled with the narration. My entry is 286 words long.

     The rain was still pounding on the window and I sighed as I plunged my hands into the bubble filled sink. The lavender smell was sharp in the fry grease perfumed air. I slopped the sponge across the dirty plate, glad it was nearly closing time.
     Pounding on the door assaulted my ears and I nearly dropped the plate. "What?" I scowled, wiping my hands on a towel and opening the door that served as a barrier between the drunk customers and my sanity.
     I had to look up to meet the man's watery gaze. "We need you out here."
     I frowned and brushed past him out into the barroom. Six men were still sprawled at the bar and tables. "What's going on here?"
     A chorus of slurred responses answered me, none of them matching the other. The man in the corner stood and sauntered over, his Wonderland style top hat shadowing his pierced face. "We've made a bet, and we need you to officiate."
     He slid a knife from his pocket and I flinched away. He held the handle out toward me. "It's a bet on my life, see." His Chicago accent was strong. "If I win, they owe me lots of money. If I lose," He shrugged. "I'm only out one life."
     My fingers fumbled for the handle and he walked to stand against the wall. "Stick that through my hat, and you can scurry back to the kitchen."
     My mind raced. It was crazy. But I was surrounded by drunks who wanted crazy. Now.
     I flipped the knife over in my hand and took a deep breath. What other options did I have? I looked up at the Chicago Mad Hatter. He smiled.

(Yes, I did use a character from the entry I wrote for Teen Words of Steel. I liked him. Don't judge.)

Thanks for stopping by! 

Chocolate Books Tag

I was tagged by Sarah of Forever Changed to do the Chocolate Books tag. I then lost the notification on my ipod, and completely forgot who nominated me, and what exactly I was supposed to do. But, I have gathered my wits and here are the long delayed answers. (I think I'm supposed to restrict my answers to one book per question, but I'm Divergent and can't be controlled, so I can't make any promises on that front)

1. Dark Chocolate (A book that covers a dark topic)
Well right now I'm reading Monster by Mirriam Neal. It's pretty dark so far, covering things like the human soul and such. I'm not very far in yet, so I can't say for sure what all is in it, but I think it definitely fits (and I'm loving the read).

2. White Chocolate (Favorite light-hearted/humorous read)
Hmmm, I don't read many light hearted books....Dry humor yes, but....I still love the Hank the Cowdog series. Those are definitely humorous and light-hearted.

3. Milk Chocolate (A book with a lot of hype that you're dying to read)
Well, I'm debating reading The Fault in Our Stars by John Green...everyone is hyped up about The One by Kiera Cass, but I'm dreading it actually...Oh! I want to read If I Stay by Gayle Forman.

4. Caramel-filled Chocolate (A book that makes you feel all gooey inside)
Ooh, Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare, Divergent by Veronica Roth, High Lonesome by Louis L'amour.  

5. Wafer-less KitKat (A book that has surprised you)

The two that instantly came to mind were Orphan's Song by Gillian Bronte Adams, and To Tame a Land by Louis L'amour.

6. Snickers (A book you're going nuts about)

Currently? It's Monster by Mirriam Neal, and Reached by Ally Condie. But that's just because I'm reading them both right now. If you even mention the Inheritance Cycle I'll go all crazy fan-woman on you.

7. Hot Chocolate With Mini Marshmallows (A book you turn to for a comfort read)

This will sound weird, but I really like to read American Diaries: Maddie Retta Lauren by Kathleen Duey. It's a little chapter book for like kids, but it's very realistic. I don't know why I like it for a comfort read, since I usually cry every time I read it, but I do like to read it when I'm feeling down. It's not nearly as traumatizing as most of the books I read nowadays. And I like it because I can curl up and read the whole thing in one sitting.

8. Box of Chocolates (A series you feel has something for everyone)

Oh...I don't know. Most of the series' that I read I have to stop and think before I suggest them to someone. There's usually something someone would hate about them...Um...The Chronicles of Narnia by Clive Staples Lewis! (Now I know why he went by C.S) I think most people can get along with that series just perfectly.

Now...who do I want to peek in on their reading habits?

I tag:

Skye from Ink Castles

J at The Journeys of my Beating Heart

Victoria at Stori Tori's Blog

And, let's make it an even four.

Jessy at Barefoot in the Snow

A Novel Idea

It's time for the weekly A Novel Idea post, hosted by Ashley Strawser from Ashley Aspires .

I'm using Reeve and Amy from Running Crazy.

(I'm also feeling rather dramatic at the moment, so just fair warning)

 

The Questions

 

 

The Answers

 

It's all coming up next

 

After the break

 

 

 

 

 

1. What is their favorite hobby?

Reeve's favorite hobby is working on vehicles. If he's not in school, working his job, (or traipsing around Wyoming with Amy) you can find him under a pickup surrounded by wrenches and oil.

 

Amy likes to play her guitar. Or even just listen to music. Many an hour has been spent exploring old songs on YouTube.

 

2. What is their favorite color?

 Reeve likes dark blue. Nearly black, dark blue.

 

Amy's favorite color is yellow.

 

3. What is their favorite food?

Reeve will kill for a meat lover's pizza.

 

Amy's food taste are less violent, as she likes anything Italian.

 

4. Do they like to read? If not, why?

Reeve doesn't hate to read, but he is far from a bookworm. He would much rather be active than sitting around reading.

 

Being very fond of words, Amy does read, though her preference is music.

 

5. How do they usually spend their Saturday night?

Reeve fancies himself a bad boy/ladies man, so he's usually out with Donny on Saturday nights. He doesn't usually go to parties, but he will cruise town and talk to strangers.

 

Amy is more a homebody. She'll tuck herself away in her room and read, or play/listen to music.

 

 

 

 

 

I've Given the 'Gift' of Feels

 

I'm so excited. Like giddy bouncing around excited. I walked into the kitchen to find Minion 1 with tear streaks down her face, looking absolutely crushed. You know what she said to me when she saw me?

I hate you.

I was completely caught off guard, as I hadn't done anything particularly abominable to her in my recent memory. She then spiraled into a rant about how badly she hated me, and she was just so sad and depressed, and it was all my fault, and on and on and on.

When I finally got her to stop hating on me and explain why, she told me that she had read the Dynamic Duo (We left her home that day and she had lots of time), and now she hated me.

After a few more questions I figured out the source of her distress and laughed.

The part that she was so upset about....was the part she suggested I write.

It was all her idea. I can quote her.

"The reader part of me says let them live. The John Green part of me says kill them all." ~ Minion 1

She said that. She said that while I was writing the story.

Then she read the results and told me she hated me.

I tried to ask her if it was the type of hate that was serious and demanded a change in the story, or if it was the type of hate that can also translate into love, like that feeling people have for Rick Riordan, John Green, Veronica Roth, and Suzanne Collins.

She was pretty much a blubbering mess for several hours and all she would say was that she hated me.

The next day though I did get her to speak plain English. I told her I would change the story so the episode in question never happened. That sent her into another fit. Apparently she thinks the outcome is perfect, and any changes to it would ruin everything, and she hates me.

I've come to a humongous conclusion guys. I'm capable of producing feels  in a reader.

 

*Happy Dance*

 

An Entry

Hi guys! I'm so excited, because Brooke at Teen Words of Steel  is hosting contests again. The contest is open to anyone, and followers of her blog can vote for the entry they like best. Check out Sarah's post for all the rules. The entry's are due by this Wednesday. Now, moving past all the specifics, here is my entry: It came out at 305 words. (Thank you Brooke so much for giving a fairly large word count limit)

     The door swung open, scraping against the linoleum floor. I looked up at the sound, my aching head swimming with the movement.

     A man walked into the hotel lobby, tracking the rain in with him and capturing my attention. He looked like a character who'd crawled out of an Alice in Wonderland story and discovered the emo style. Dyed black hair edging his face, and a leather jacket, set off with a top hat.

     His liner rimmed eyes swung around to me and I looked down quickly and tried to look like I actually wanted the continental breakfast in front of me. I heard his steps coming closer and bit in a frown as he slid into the chair across the table from me.

     "Mind if I sit here?" His deep Chicago accent pulled my gaze up and he smiled, the skin around his lip ring pulling tight.

     A knot balled in my throat and I shook my head slightly. "That's fine."

     His smile grew wider, but it wasn't the grin of a Mad Hatter. This was someone who knew exactly what he was doing, and probably what everyone else was too.

     When I didn't return the smile his green eyes dropped to my plate. "That looks good. I think I'll get some." He stood and crossed over to the breakfast bar and I felt like I could breathe again. He returned a few minutes later, his plate heaped high. "Name's Con."

     I squinted at him involuntarily and he chuckled low in his throat. "Relax lady. It's short for Conrad."

     "Oh." I pushed the word out with effort. 

     He looked at me hard a moment then shook his head. "You want to hear a story?" He leaned back in his chair decisively, before I could even answer, his breakfast already forgotten. "Once upon a time."  

 

 

Alert! SOS!

Hi! This is kind of embarrassing, but I need your help. A few weeks ago I was nominated for the chocolate books award. Well I was going to do it this week, but I cannot remember who nominated me, therefore I have no one to thank or link back to! I've been through miles and miles of my blogger feed and I can't find the post anywhere. So, if you nominated me, could you let me know please? I can answer the questions just fine without the original post, but I don't want to be rude and not thank you 0.o

Drop me a comment please!