Comments | meaganspooner: Commitment--and an excerpt.

meaganspooner

Commitment--and an excerpt.

Jun 17, 2010 07:08

I'm nearing the end of my book--I'm currently at approximately 75,000 words, and I forsee maybe another 30,000 words to go. It's not quite close enough to make a mad, sprinting dash for the finish line, but that's not really what I want to do anyway. Although I always was a sprinter rather than a distance runner, in this case I think consistency ( Read more... )

excerpt, wip

Comments 15

journeynorth June 16 2010, 21:29:20 UTC

Before reading: YAY! I love Teaser Not-Tuesdays.

After: I want to read more. D: (That's a good thing. The horrified smiley is because I can't read more.)

Oh, and how's the characterisation of Oren going? From what little I read I think it's going well, so it seems like you got past that obstacle. My main character is starting to reveal herself a little more, too. Heh. Damn those secretive characters that dodge your attempts at figuring 'em out.

Also, congrats on 75,000 words. That's seriously awesome. I'm so happy for you!!! You can do it. :D

(Keeping you accountable as you are me. You inspired me to do the 500-words-a-day challenge and it's going so well. You're totally right--perseverance is key to getting anything done. I think that's what I was missing before.)

meaganspooner June 16 2010, 21:32:58 UTC

Whoohoo, I'm glad you like it! Yeah, Oren's coming a lot more easily now. He's terse and stubborn and unintentionally rude by nature, so somewhat of a pain to deal with when he refuses to profess his undying love and all, but you know... we're working on it.

You make me SO unbelievably happy that you're on the 500 words/day thing and sticking to it and everything. It seems like such a tiny commitment, but it's really not. It's making room in your life for something EVERY DAY and it can be way, way harder than anyone who hasn't done it can realize. I'm just so glad it's helping you!! <3

outfortea June 16 2010, 22:04:08 UTC

I really enjoyed this! Despite not knowing a great deal about the characters or the world, I was drawn in immediately and upset when I got to the end. :) Plus having a fear of the sky is such an interesting thing to think about/explore! It was sweet when Oren helped her to the forest as well when I get the impression that he's not a very patient person normally?
Oh- and I just found out about this post from Gail Carson Levine about how to write "un-sappy romance"- she has some tips about how to make chemistry work I thought were really helpful- check it out if you're interested!

http://gailcarsonlevine.blogspot.com/2010/06/un-sappy-romance.html

meaganspooner June 16 2010, 22:22:34 UTC

I'm SO glad you liked it. It's surprisingly hard for me to pick excerpts--it feels like everything is so high-context. Plus, at this late stage in the game, practically everything's a spoiler! But I'd imagine most writers feel like that, so I'm trying to ignore the little voices. ;)

And yeah, Oren is not a patient guy. He's used to living absolutely on his own, and Lark... well, just now, Lark is not the most competent of companions.

And wow, that post is AWESOME. Thanks so much! It's going to be super helpful!

angelwingsbaka June 16 2010, 22:22:15 UTC

Can't wait for July! :)

meaganspooner June 16 2010, 22:23:34 UTC

Heehee, thanks! I have sooo many misgivings about this deadline--I mean, I don't even KNOW for a face that I have only 30,000 words to go! I suspect that's wishful/optimistic thinking. Still, that's the point of saying it publicly... can't take it back now! ;)

meaganspooner June 17 2010, 00:52:36 UTC

For a face? WTF. For a FACT, I meant. See, when I've been writing for too long without a break, I start doing weird homophone and approximate homophone things where I just start replacing random words with similarly pronounced--or spelled--other words. Sigh. Maybe I should break for lunch.

rabbithigh June 17 2010, 00:13:46 UTC

Wow, the idea that the immense sky is scary and suffocating and just too much for someone is new. I liked that take!
And Oren has this teeny distanced-mysterious-man air that I LOVE!
Lark and Oren are great names!
I'm really curious to know more now! (Like why Lark left the city) Looking forward to next time~

meaganspooner June 17 2010, 00:48:33 UTC

Yaay, thanks! I'm so glad you like Oren. He's the "new" character (despite being in my head as long as Lark) so there's definitely still a bit of settling down to do with him.

So happy you want to know more! There's a bit more about the setup of the book in the explanation for the first excerpt I did, if you're curious: http://meaganspooner.livejournal.com/1728.html

animewave June 17 2010, 00:41:27 UTC

This sounds amazing :) I hope you can meet your goal.

meaganspooner June 17 2010, 00:46:37 UTC

Aww, thanks! I hope so too. But I am a crazyperson when it comes to failure, so if I set myself this goal (in public where I can't take it back and pretend I never set it) then I should be so averse to failing that goal that I'll stay up all night for a week if I have to. At least, that's the idea...

animewave June 17 2010, 00:51:18 UTC

lol maybe I should set goals in public too.

meaganspooner June 17 2010, 00:53:46 UTC

Well, it definitely does work, I will say that. If you're the type of person who hates to let others down, it'll torture you until you succeed. I was that could who wouldn't do homework to save her life but if it meant a teacher's disapproval I wouldn't sleep until it got done.