NaNoPrep: Research Before or After?

With NaNoWriMo fast approaching, it's about that time when most writers planning for it (or maybe just me...) go into panic mode. Have I thought this story out? Do I have everything I need to get an entire novel written in just one month? What if I don't? Am I doomed to fail? Should I even start?

I know I'm not 100% prepared to start writing this novel. I don't think I'm even 50% prepared. I think this is equally caused by the fact that I just decided that I was going to do NaNo, and let's be honest, I'm a procrastinator. I've got the basic story planned out in my mind, and I've thought over several different scenes, but I think there's still a lot about this story that I haven't figured out.

I'm not all that worried because I'm a pantser (I'm assuming all of you know what that means :P). I just have some sort of natural aversion to doing outlines. I usually don't plan what I'm going to write. I just write whatever scene is pestering my brain the most, then as I write more and more, start to piece everything together and figure out what's missing. Is it the most organized method? Definitely not, but I know what works for me.

What I've come to realize is that every book requires at least a little bit of research. If you're writing a realistic novel set in the real world, then you want to make sure all of your details are accurate. For this particular novel I'm planning on writing, I don't have to do a ridiculous amount of research, but I'm a bit worried that I don't have enough time to figure out everything before I start writing. So what should I do?

There are plenty of options, of course. I could get all of my research done before I start writing. I could research what I need as I'm writing it. Or I could just put all of the research on hold, write out the novel, then check the accuracy once it's done and fix any mistakes. Obviously the first two seem the most logical, mostly because if you write something without doing your research, you may find that what you wrote is inaccurate and you may have to rewrite the entire thing. But when it comes to something like NaNo, where you're trying to get as much writing done as possible in a short amount of time, you also don't want the research to trip you up and take up a huge amount of time.

I haven't quite figured it out yet. Most of the research I need to do involves the setting. I still have a few days to get my research done, but I also want to focus on figuring out a bit more of the story line, and--oh, I don't know, naming my characters. I also think I could just develop the setting the way I picture it and it won't be terribly inaccurate, or at least have any huge errors that I can't easily fix once I get all of my research done. I just don't want to be in the position where I finish an entire novel then find out it could never happen the way I wrote it. I don't think this could happen, but you never know.

I guess I'm going to take it one day at a time. And I've still got three days to get some research done.

I Hate My Book

I'm sure every writer goes through this phase when they're editing a novel. The high of writing the first draft is long gone and now you're ripping it apart trying to fix every tiny little thing that's wrong with it. It's not easy, and it's definitely not as fun as actually writing. It's one thing to know when something isn't working, but it's another to know how to fix it.

I've been in such a rut lately. I don't even want to look at my book, let alone work on it. I know I've been whining about this for a while now, so bear with me. It's just really frustrating when you've worked for so long on something and been so passionate about it and then suddenly you want nothing to do with it.

I know there are a lot of reasons for why I'm feeling this way. I think I'm still a little burned from sending my book to people I know. I mean, I sent it out to fifteen different people, and only one acknowledged that she finished it. Another two made a few comments here and there, but those stopped along the way. Everyone else said absolutely nothing, not even something as simple as, hey I finished a chapter. I'm wondering what the point was. I honestly don't even know if those other people read any of it at all. So if I can't get people I actually know to read it, how can I get strangers to?

Then of course there was the whole Pitch Wars fiasco. Don't even get me started on that. I don't blame it completely, but it is what triggered this rut I'm in, this desire to do absolutely nothing at all when it comes to writing and editing.

I'm hoping that maybe doing NaNoWriMo will help me in some way, being able to work on something different for a while. Because I've been doing nothing for quite some time and it isn't helping. I really want to work on editing, but every time I try it's like I can't even look at the words I've written.

Ok, I'm done ranting/whining. For now I'm just going to worry about getting my NaNo book outlined and ready and maybe when November is over I'll be in a better head space for editing. Fingers crossed.

Good News, Bad News

So I'm trying to get back into the swing of things when it comes to blogging. Sometimes it's hard to come up with ideas for blog posts, other times it's hard just to write them at all. But in the past, I've always found when I can't think of something to write about, then it's ok just to ramble. Or sometimes make a list. Or both. So that's what I felt like doing today. Here are some of the good AND bad things going on with my writing, and maybe a few from my regular life as well.

Good News!

Gizmo seems to be doing a lot better since his second shot on Monday. The vet also recommended getting a laser pointer so he could get more exercise and lose weight. I think watching him chase the red dot is more entertaining for me than for him, though...

Even though I said I wasn't going to do NaNoWriMo, I think I changed my mind. I'm going to do it, but with a different story idea that's been in the back of my head for a while now. I've been thinking about it a lot lately, so I figured I'd give it a shot.

I came up with a theme idea for next year's A to Z Challenge! I was convinced I wouldn't come up with one, at least not with enough time to plan it out. But I have more than five months now and I really like my idea. I have no idea how I'll come up with posts for the trickier letters, though. X? Z? *shudders*

I noticed our bananas were going bad yesterday so the obvious thing to do was to make banana bread. I kicked it up a bit by adding some shredded coconut and cinnamon. So yummy!

Bad News...

No editing on UL whatsoever. I did try a little brainstorming on the subplot front and may have figured out a few things, but then I worry that I'm taking it in the wrong direction. I think it's hard to get the whole idea out of my head and start from scratch.

I really don't think my brain is capable of coming up with a book idea that doesn't involve a forbidden and/or secret romance. Come on, brain, stop being so predictable.

I've never ever finished a NaNo book so part of me is already convinced that I'll give up halfway through like I did last year.


That's it, I think. I thought I had more bad news...which I guess is good news...

BRB

So I WAS going to do something super awesome and cool seeing as this is my 200th blog post (no idea what, but something). But yesterday morning all of Gizmo's UTI symptoms came back so I'm kind of in the middle of a nervous breakdown. I'm bringing him back to the vet for another shot in about a half hour. The guy I talked to on the phone this morning said sometimes it takes two to really get rid of the infection. I just kinda wish someone had told me that the first time and maybe I wouldn't have been freaking out yesterday. But anyway, I'm all stress and nerves right now so all I want to do after the vet is watch tv and possibly take a nap.

So, uh...yay for my 200th post? 

Soulless Blog Tour

Today I'm hosting the very awesome Crystal Collier! She's sharing an excerpt from her new book, SOULLESS, which just came out on Monday. I'm super psyched to read it since I loved the first book in the series, MOONLESS. Check it out!

Title: SOULLESS
Series: Maiden of Time
Author: Crystal Collier
Pages: 263
Pub Date: October 13, 2014
Publisher: Raybourne Publishing
ISBN: 9781629830032

The Soulless are coming.

Alexia manipulated time to save the man of her dreams, and lost her best friend to red-eyed wraiths. Still grieving, she struggles to reconcile her loss with what was gained: her impending marriage. But when her wedding is destroyed by the Soulless—who then steal the only protection her people have—she’s forced to unleash her true power.

And risk losing everything.

BUY

What reviewers are saying:

"5 Stars." - Invincible Love of Reading Book Blog

"I LOVED it! So good. Seriously...exceeded my expectations." -Kristin Smith, advanced reviewer

"Entirely unique and chilling." Gabby @ What’s Beyond Forks

"Unputdownable." T.C. Mckee, BookFish Books

Excerpt:

Mae stood on the brink, arms crossed.

Alexia’s head felt like a pillow full of down, a soft buzzing in her ears, the taste of sulfur at the back of her tongue. “The Soulless—” she warned.

A wicked smile crept over Mae’s face, her blind eyes crinkling at the corners. “I can hear them.” She stepped over the line of white blossoms.

The grass reached for her foot—like iron shavings drawn to a magnet. The stretching plants shriveled and blackened, desiccating and writhing into the dirt. Deadness bled out from the innkeeper across the foliage, spreading like the black fingers of an inky night, but halting along the perimeter Kiren had marked. Like a giant sucking breath, an invisible force drew the color and life out of the earth, pulling it into Mae’s body. Her eyes closed, nostrils flared, chest lifting as though she were breathing for the first time. Death ringed her foot, extending twice the woman’s height in all directions and growing while her skin gleamed and brightened.

A shriek rent the air. The creature nearest Mae collapsed. Those on either side dropped. A fourth and fifth toppled.

Hesitating, Mae retreated back over the line. “Go away. The girl is under my protection.”

The one creature still standing trembled and disappeared in a blinding blur of motion. A wide berth of shriveled nothingness remained, five immobile lumps littering the ground, not a whisper of life stirring them. Mae turned and faced Alexia, her innocence a halo of light against a backdrop of devastation.

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Get your free copy of book 1, MOONLESS, October 13, 20, 27, 31 or Nov 7.

Author Bio:

Crystal Collier is a young adult author who pens dark fantasy, historical, and romance hybrids. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, four littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. 

You can find her on her Blog, Facebook, Goodreads, or follow her on Twitter.

Quick update before I scurry off...

Sorry I didn't blog much last week. My poor Gizmo was sick all week. We started noticing a problem on Monday night and I spent most of my time on the internet trying to figure out what it was with no luck. We finally took him to the vet on Thursday, found out he had a UTI on Friday (do you guys know how hard it is to get a urine sample from a cat? Because now I know), then had to take him back on Saturday for a shot. He actually handled the shot pretty well but he really hates being in the car and being at the vet in general, and was extremely vocal about his disapproval the whole time. I still have to give him oral antibiotics twice a day as well, which is very hard and I now have a wound on my hand to prove it. He does seem to be getting better, though.

So this week I'm hoping to get back into editing. I just have to take the plunge and start doing it. Even if I just get a few things fixed every day, it'll be worth it. I actually don't think I'm going to do NaNo this year--the fantasy story I had in mind still needs a LOT of planning and I don't think I'll get it all done in time (I still haven't named the characters!). Plus I'd rather focus on editing if I can actually get back into it.

I'm hoping to get a book review written for Friday's post. We shall see. If not, then I'll definitely be back on Monday to let you know if I got any editing done or if I failed miserably.

Missing Muse & Shelfie Blogfest

Do you ever feel like your muse has abandoned you? Like they just got sick of your crummy attitude and went away to do something more fun than inspire you? I'm starting to think that might be part of my problem. I haven't been feeling all that inspired lately but I think it goes beyond that. I used to talk to my muse--like actually talk out loud and hear him answer in my head. I can't remember the last time I did that.

Usually on the first Monday of the month Jordan takes over and writes his own blog post. Well, it just feels like he didn't show up. Ideally, I'd like for him to show up every day, but since this is pretty much the only day of the month where he's actually required to do something, I'm wondering if I should put up fliers. Well, here's the best I can do, I suppose:

Missing: Muse
Male, approximately 5' 10"
Somewhere between the ages of 15 and 19, depending on his mood. Probably 15. I have pictured him as old as 35, however, so be on the lookout.
Caucasian, brown hair, brown eyes. Most likely wearing skinny jeans and a gray t-shirt.
Answers to: Jordan, Palmer, or "gorgeous"
Does not answer to: Jojo, no matter how many times I call him that.
Last seen here on September 1. Could be anywhere between his hometown of New York City and eastern Massachusetts, where I live. Or wherever it is that muses go. Is there a muse dimension where all the muses just hang out and laugh at us?

Image credit

Can be lured with sweets. Just stick a cookie or cupcake in your window and he might show up.
If found, please hold hostage and let me know. He WILL try to trick you into letting him go, and will most likely be successful unless you wear earplugs. Or give him the whole batch of cookies.

Anyway, onto something else! I've been procrastinating forever and now it's the last day of the Shelfie Blogfest! Thanks to Tara Tyler and all of the awesome co-hosts for putting this together!

First off, let me say these shelves are a complete lie. It's not as bad as that sounds. I live in a studio apartment so there's not a lot of space. Most of my books are actually in boxes in a storage unit. The books I keep in my apartment are the ones I haven't read or have recently read, as well as my favorites. And all of my writing reference books. I also usually don't get the third shelf--it's home to my fiance's horror movie collection, but I cleared it out and organized all of my books so that they looked more presentable. :P Enjoy!

My sad three shelves. Yes, I own the DSM and a Geometry textbook.

Winner of worst spine goes to The Catcher in the Rye. Surprise--I have none. 

And I originally wasn't going to do a true selfie shelfie because I hate pictures of myself, but I thought literally sticking a costar on the shelf would help me out. He seemed to enjoy it, except for the fact that this was the last picture after about thirty failures...