tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post1553014236013177083..comments2024-03-28T04:55:50.771-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: NaNoWriMo to the Rescue? #amwriting @LucyBurdetteJungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-44900161280425423832016-11-08T19:38:27.987-05:002016-11-08T19:38:27.987-05:00Lucy, WOW, I wanted to turn the page and keep read...Lucy, WOW, I wanted to turn the page and keep reading. I never knew you did dark. Revelation! Can't wait for the finished product. <br /><br />When I'm stuck I do two things, Scapple (which I'm just learning-its a Literature and Latte product that is basically a mindmap). It lets me see the relationship among characters and plot and sometimes it can provide just the spark that sets the gears rolling again. The other thing I do is write. By hand. The old fashioned way. It's a trick I learned from the days when I did morning pages. I may start out writing I have nothing to say over and over, but then I discovery my pen is writing characters, dialogue, plot, story, and I'm unstuck. Kaithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07758348842858993203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10127709904933848222016-11-08T18:00:29.844-05:002016-11-08T18:00:29.844-05:00Omigish, you sure left us hanging, Roberta! I look...Omigish, you sure left us hanging, Roberta! I look forward to this story.<br /><br />NaNo is tough for me, because it's November, a super tough time for me to carve space for myself. We'll have house guests at both houses, for more than a week, and Thanksgiving, and so many end of season outdoor projects. Thanksgiving is our Christmas, too.<br /><br />But I think I will also do my own writing month in December. That's a great idea!Karen in Ohiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18002794561817071780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-78038961055228229502016-11-08T15:08:56.461-05:002016-11-08T15:08:56.461-05:00LOL Ann, Hank is a princess! I don't have a da...LOL Ann, Hank is a princess! I don't have a date for when you might see this--must finish it and sell it first...<br /><br />Now off to look at your Facebook page...Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-72506151305166244412016-11-08T14:07:19.856-05:002016-11-08T14:07:19.856-05:00So Lucy /Roberta, Addy obviously meets Hank on the...So Lucy /Roberta, Addy obviously meets Hank on the subway, cashmere and all. How long do we have to wait to see what happens next?<br /><br />PS check out my picture on FB at the grave of Susan B Anthony. Not to reference the election of course. Just happened to drop by there today. <br />Ann in Rochesternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-68993349242502037102016-11-08T13:42:41.502-05:002016-11-08T13:42:41.502-05:00Thank you Debs! So smart to do your own December N...Thank you Debs! So smart to do your own December NaNo. I've certainly written 1000 words/day in other stretches, but this was a good kick in the butt. Thank you for the offer of brainstorming--that would be amazing:)<br /><br />Vicki, you are so right!<br /><br />Kathy, you're the best, thanks.<br /><br />Coralee, thank you too. Changing mental scenery sometimes works, though not so much for this election season! I have to admit that household chores can seem very appealing, depending on how hard the section is...entirely new chapters=hard slogging.Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-78754076775581622262016-11-08T12:55:59.554-05:002016-11-08T12:55:59.554-05:00Lucy/Roberta I echo, brainstorm with me any time. ...Lucy/Roberta I echo, brainstorm with me any time. When I get stuck like to change my mental scenery. I sometimes pull up a museum site and look at artwork. Then I meditate for a bit. If that doesn't work I do household chores. That always motivates me to get back to the key board. Coralee Hickshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06691335135691119400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-34882247405295014522016-11-08T12:39:59.171-05:002016-11-08T12:39:59.171-05:00Oh, Lucy, what a delicious tidbit! Dark and gripp...Oh, Lucy, what a delicious tidbit! Dark and gripping. I'm looking forward to reading Addy's story and will pre-order as soon as it becomes available. Kathy Reelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17004247271452356577noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-2090912694702540412016-11-08T12:09:01.784-05:002016-11-08T12:09:01.784-05:00Congratulations on participating in NaNo. You neve...Congratulations on participating in NaNo. You never know until you try where something great will happen. Good luck!Vicki Batman, sassy writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13846704675542248648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-52313379298494549072016-11-08T11:52:57.181-05:002016-11-08T11:52:57.181-05:00Lucy, that snippet is absolutely gripping!!!! I ca...Lucy, that snippet is absolutely gripping!!!! I can't wait to find out Addy's story, and I applaud you for jumping off the deep end into something completely different. (Up for brainstorming any time!)<br /><br />I've never done NaNoWriMo, and I can't this month because I'm in the UK researching, but I'm going to make December my very own NaNoWriMo month. To get unstuck, I do chores, go for a walk, take the dogs out for some play in the garden. Or I brainstorm with a friend, or with myself. I brainstorm on paper, listing questions about the story and the characters, then answering them. Amazing how well that works.Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16988750789088153601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-22589407090584585852016-11-08T10:48:30.934-05:002016-11-08T10:48:30.934-05:00Thanks Rhys! So glad you get a month off. You dese...Thanks Rhys! So glad you get a month off. You deserve it, you work sooooo hard!<br /><br />Hank, that is brilliant. Allow yourself to leave and the brain says..."but wait!"<br /><br />Thank you Mary. Hope the new idea flourishes for you. It is so brave to give up words you've already written...<br /><br />And thanks Leslie! I find plotting hard too. Tonka gets a lot of walks when things are not flowing:). It also helps to talk things over with someone. This week I had dinner with a friend who knew nothing about this book but instantly had a solution to what I thought was an insurmountable problem...Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-70689419012667153272016-11-08T10:45:20.148-05:002016-11-08T10:45:20.148-05:00"Growth happens at the end of your comfort zo..."Growth happens at the end of your comfort zone" so congrats on stretching that envelope, Lucy/Roberta.<br /><br />I love NaNo, no so much for writing a book in a month, but for those looking to develop a good writing habit, be it either through words a day or time in the chair.<br /><br />When I get stuck it's generally a sign that I've been at it too long and I need a break. Get up, stretch, do something else. I almost always come up with at least some sort of idea that let's me move forward.Liz Millironhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04919409969263609919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-59412223389723614192016-11-08T10:07:05.242-05:002016-11-08T10:07:05.242-05:00What a terrific snippet, Roberta/Lucy! So full of ...What a terrific snippet, Roberta/Lucy! So full of tension, emotion, and sensory flavor! Can't wait to read the book.<br /><br />When I'm stuck (which is a lot lately, as I've been attempting to plot a new book--always the toughest part for me), I take the dog for a walk or go on a bike ride and brainstorm. But it's hard to take notes on a bicycle, so then I have to makes sure I remember any ideas I get...Leslie Karsthttp://www.lesliekarstauthor.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-3782799125268799362016-11-08T09:48:42.287-05:002016-11-08T09:48:42.287-05:00Lucy, what a great excerpt! I felt like I was rig...Lucy, what a great excerpt! I felt like I was right there on the subway and could see the characters clearly. I really need to catch up on your books!<br /><br />I am attempting NaNoWriMo, as I can really use the discipline. I spent the first week working on a story that just wasn't flowing AT ALL. Yesterday, I read an old post by Susan, where she described being 30,000 words into a manuscript and realized it just wasn't right. Mine only had less than 10,000 words, but I had the same feeling. So I put it away and started writing on another idea I had and bingo! I could scarcely write fast enough to keep up with my thoughts. <br /><br />Now I have to go back and think about characters and setting and all because I hadn't prepped for working on this idea at all, but that's okay. I should trust my gut, right? I still love the other idea and the characters, setting and theme, and I may get back to it at some point, but I don't think I'd make it through NaNo with it. I barely made it through the week! MaryChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10410779359733661454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-35867575130015911972016-11-08T09:38:16.526-05:002016-11-08T09:38:16.526-05:00Such a departure, Lucy! And changing from first pe... Such a departure, Lucy! And changing from first person to third is such a task it was so difficult for me, but now I feel much more comfortable. If there is such a thing as comfortable :-) <br /> If I can't decide what to write, I give myself 10 minutes. So I will come back in 10 minutes. The moment I stand up, I think of the idea. I think it is a question of taking the pressure off yourself. <br /><br /><br /> The flight attendant is making me turn off my phone! XxxxHank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-58033960207696279162016-11-08T09:27:49.824-05:002016-11-08T09:27:49.824-05:00Brilliant excerpt, Lucy!
I've never tried any ...Brilliant excerpt, Lucy!<br />I've never tried any kind of writing exercise. Maybe it's because my life is a continuous example of needing to write this many words by the end of the month. I've just finished a first draft so I'm taking a month's breather. Which feels strange!Rhysnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-68486596063637753092016-11-08T08:53:52.170-05:002016-11-08T08:53:52.170-05:00Exactly, Kaye! My goal too is get out of the rut a...Exactly, Kaye! My goal too is get out of the rut and pick up some momentum. Hope your month is big success.Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-768920817159926252016-11-08T08:29:39.151-05:002016-11-08T08:29:39.151-05:00Lucy/Roberta - oooooh, I love it! and good for yo...Lucy/Roberta - oooooh, I love it! and good for you for trying something so different and doing it so well.<br /><br />I'm participating in NaNoWriMo, and it's my first time. But, I was stuck. For way too long. In the meantime I've had some short stories published and have fallen in love with writing in that form, but now - time to get back to that book, and NaNoWriMo is helping - Yay!! I'm not making their goal every day, but that's isn't as important to me and just getting some words written, not a set number of words.Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Museshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07486129009717476920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-35800776048297282302016-11-08T07:56:50.478-05:002016-11-08T07:56:50.478-05:00Thank you so much Joan! You will be able to read i...Thank you so much Joan! You will be able to read it, just not sure when yet:). And good idea about stepping aside for a moment and doing something else. Usually the back brain is still working on the other project, right?<br /><br />Edith, you amaze us all with how much you're doing. I simply can't imagine 5000 words a day--1000 can feel so grueling, though it definitely gets the story on the page. Your ideas for getting ideas are great!<br /><br />Thanks Hallie! Now here's where I confess that it isn't the opening. Or I should say, IF IT IS the opening, I've got some cutting to do!<br /><br />Michele, good luck to you too! We can commiserate at Crime Bake. If you stop back, say more about the artist's dates??Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10759012170539346302016-11-08T07:37:25.941-05:002016-11-08T07:37:25.941-05:00Roberta/Lucy, I want to read your book! Addy and t...Roberta/Lucy, I want to read your book! Addy and the helpless lump and the elegant woman drew me right in. Good for you for challenging yourself to step out of your comfort zone into deep and dark waters. The jolt is working! I'm also doing Nanowrimo to experiment with writing something completely different for me and I'm trying to have some fun while doing it. Let's just say, my local librarian raised an eyebrow at the last book I checked out for research.<br /><br />When I'm stuck, I usually try to get out of my head by experiencing a new place or activity. I'm a big fan of those Artist's Dates where you open your senses to the world outside your foggy brain.Michele Dorseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04121333580268107053noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-36266335153216229292016-11-08T07:10:16.493-05:002016-11-08T07:10:16.493-05:00Lucy, I LOVE THIS OPENING! I just spent a day in O...Lucy, I LOVE THIS OPENING! I just spent a day in Ohio giving feedback on people's opening pages, trying to explain how to put the character AND the setting AND the situation on the page as fast and compellingly and economically as you can BEFORE you let all hell break loose... all I needed was this example. Brilliant!! Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-10381695812635006882016-11-08T06:05:22.036-05:002016-11-08T06:05:22.036-05:00Good for you for stretching your envelope, Roberta...Good for you for stretching your envelope, Roberta/Lucy. And that's an amazing snippet. Good luck with the book - I can't wait to read it.<br /><br />If I'm stuck, I often take a few steps back (literally) in my office to sit in the rocker with pen and paper. Brainstorming in a different writing mode springs up all kinds of ideas. The other is my tried-and-true plotting walk, phone in hand, talking out loud to myself, dictating the ideas that arise. Never fails. <br /><br />Every month is NaNoWriMo for me. This morning before I got up I was wondering if I could write 5000 words/day before Crime Bake and finish this damn first draft. No, I'm not that productive, at least not at home! But 1500 words/day is a must. Except at Crime Bake...Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-3922768285804364532016-11-08T00:47:40.480-05:002016-11-08T00:47:40.480-05:00Ooh, now I’m so intrigued and I want to find out m...Ooh, now I’m so intrigued and I want to find out more about Addy; I wish I could read the rest of your story!<br /><br />Sometimes, if I find myself stuck in a project, I walk away from it for a bit. Of course, if it’s something for work, then I can’t do that and I try setting it aside for a bit and doing something else [there’s always something else to do!] for a little bit. But I try to keep on keeping on and usually I can work my way through it . . . .<br />Joan Emersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06810313925049108163noreply@blogger.com