NaNoWriMo: Week One

So here we are, a week later. Those of us over-achievers are soaring ahead of the crowd, perhaps reaching the midway point, while still others are right on track. Then there would be those who are falling behind. *raises hand slightly* That would be me. Now, now, I really was planning on staying on track and keeping up with my daily word count goals. I'll admit, the second day of NaNo brought no words typed up. That's when it all seemed to spiral out of control.

I really was planning on catching up on day three. That didn't happen either. What is a busy college student supposed to do? Some people deem studying far more important than NaNo, and unfortunately, I have to admit that it sort of is. I promised myself that NaNo would not take the place of studying. So far it hasn't, if you haven't been able to tell by my lack of keeping up word count wise.

By day four, I began to really pick up the speed. Word Wars really helped me amp up my writing. According to Urban Dictionary, a word war is defined as, "An occurrence in which two or more writers set a time limit, such as ten minutes, or thirty minutes, to write or type as fast as they can on a specific topic or to add onto their current novel. The person with the highest word count at the end of the time limit wins the word war. A word war may take place on AIM, IM, Gtalk, or any chat services, over the phone, or in real life. Usually, one person says to start and the two or more people type on Word as fast as they can. Often used during NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) or any WriMo (Writing Month) to boost word count." Nanoers, if this has been the first time you've heard of a word war, I highly encourage you to utilize it! It keeps my writing on track and I can usually get about 240 words in ten minutes.

As of now, day eight, I am at 8,013 words. Considering I am supposed to be at 13,333 words, I'm a little freaked out. Eek! According to WriteWay (a really handy tool, by the way), if I write at least 1,826 words a day, I should finish in time. I'm eagerly hoping I can reach that goal every day. I'm crossing my fingers, guys!

As far as story and plot goes, I'm doing fairly well. I have about three chapters fully completed and am about to begin my fourth chapter. As of now, I have introduced each of my main three characters in each chapter. I'm about to switch back to my first character's, Estella Archer, point of view after leaving her in a particularly good cliffhanger.

I'm approaching my book a little differently this time. As of now, each character gets their own chapter. Estella was introduced in the first chapter, Riku began his journey in the second and Willa has now spotlighted chapter three. I've never approached a book this way, but I think it is working out splendidly.

Whether you want it or not, you're going to get a bit of each chapter. Enjoy!

My first excerpt will be from chapter one in which I introduce our first main character, Estella Archer.

Sunkissed leaves caressed Estella’s rigid body as she hobbled along the barren sidewalk. She cared not that the sun shone brilliantly through the freckled trees around her, nor that the crisp breeze bit into her skin with cruel intent, or even that the enticing scent of freshly baked pastries was flowing through her nostrils from a nearby bakery. Her mind focused on one thing: the lyrics vibrating through her eardrums, voiding out all other sound. Tugging on the black and brown flecked sweater’s hood, she let the warmth hug her rosy cheeks. Though the weight of the book bag hanging off her shoulder was heftier than usual and causing her to have to work harder to force her right leg to make each step, she cared not. The music streaming through her earbuds eased her mind. She focused on taking each forced step and letting the notes and melodies take over her soul.

Typical of an early Monday morning, Estella counted the steps and bends in the road to her high school. Another day to waste in the presence of her classmates she had deemed ‘detestable vermin’. A loud engine cut through her peace and shook the ground she stood on. Angrily tugging out her right earbud, she flicked her head towards the direction of the interruption. A large yellow bus rounded the corner and zoomed her way. Before she could glance away, a group of tousled teens stuck their heads out of the windows on the bus and cupped their hands over their mouths calling out, “Essie hobbles, gonna be able to make it to school today?” Jamming her warm earbud back into her ear, she crossed her shaking arms across her chest and determined herself to walk faster.

~©Tippie, Untitled NaNoWriMo, Chapter one

The second excerpt will be from chapter two, in which I introduce our second main character, Riku (who still lacks a last name, unfortunately).

The taught feel of the strings beneath his fingers brought comfort to Riku. His body swayed back and forth as the music lilted from his instrument to his ears. Letting his fingers vibrate ever so slightly on the chords and the bow glide over the strings, he lost himself to his music. A sad sort of melody hung in the air reflecting his mood.

He had ruined his reputation as one of the best violinists in his prestigious school. All of the other children paled in comparison to his playing. Though he tried not to pride himself in that fact lest it go to his head, it hurt him when he failed to do his work justice. Not a day had gone by this year that he had failed to deliver a powerful solo. Tonight’s concert had been the one he looked forward to every year. The grand Autumnal Celebration. He had worked his bones to their breaking point for several months, until finally he was able to play his solo flawlessly.

He had set out on the stage with confidence and not a glimmer of nervousness inside him. As his solo approached and he was settling down to play, he happened to notice two figures walk in to the back of the concert hall. He had widened his eyes in surprise and lost all of the confidence he had before. His parents had not been to see him in concert all year long. If he messed up it would ruin their reputation of him. And ruin it he did. Focusing his rapt attention on pleasing his parents, he messed up like he never had before.

And now he sat deserted in the empty concert hall. His parents had left disappointed and everyone had been completely surprised by the failure to deliver by this young star. He had waited until everyone was gone to start his solo from the beginning. He had to instill in himself that he did know how to play the solo; he hadn’t gone mad. He hadn’t indeed, for he played better than he ever had before. If only this had been the outcome from the actual concert.

~©Tippie, Untitled NaNoWriMo, Chapter two

And, finally, our last excerpt will be from chapter three, in which I introduce our final main character, Willa Burbrudge.

Willa brushed a sticky hand across her cheek. The mid-afternoon sun bore down on her. If not for the large brimmed sunhat atop her head, she would be roasting in the heat. Laughter from two children broke through her thoughts. Smiling down at two strikingly similar blonde children, she rested a hand against her heart. A day spent with her beloved grandchildren was something well worth cherishing.

The boy picked up a pile of sludgy mud and slung it at his sister. Screaming in surprise, she scrunched up her nose and promptly threw some back. Something told Willa she should stop them from their shenanigans for their mother would be far from pleased, but who could tell a child to stop playing in the dirt? Life should be enjoyed, and children so happened to enjoy themselves best when digging around in the mud.

“Nana, are we going to eat soon? I’m starving.” The voice of someone behind her frightened Willa.

She pulled a hand to her neck and spun around. Her eldest granddaughter, Lola, stood with her feet firmly planted in the ground. Her sunhat hung from a strand on her neck and her mousey brown hair stuck out in several different directions, far from the intact bun she had started with earlier.

“I suppose it is time for lunch, isn’t it?” Glancing down at her two youngest grandchildren, she added, “though I supposed those two have eaten too many grapes as is.”

“Those two could eat this whole vineyard and still have room enough for more.” Lola chuckled.

~©Tippie, Untitled NaNoWriMo, Chapter three

That's all I have for you today, folks! Keep writing and working your fingers until they simply can't stop typing at all! Happy writing!