Busy Bee

First, Nano. Having epicly failed to achieve the daily word goal yesterday, I put my butt in the chair today and hammered out enough words to catch up. I am now at 18624. My lack of prepration is starting to be trumped by sheer creative will, and the hooks I unwittingly put in to earlier scenes are starting to pay dividends and spawn scenes a their own. I can see the 25,000 mark from here, and I can sense the path that will lead me into the wordcount beyond. So, things are good.

As for my procrastination, I have been converting my computers at home to Linux. I’ve been flirting with the idea for a while, but a corner was turned when I got wind of Ubuntu 8.10′s support of the mobile broadband devices. I immediately grabbed a laptop that wasn’t doing anything (*whistles innocently*), loaded the Intrepid Ibix, let the update finish, plugged in my Verizon USB broadband thingy, selected the network manager icon, selected the broadband connection in the list and crossed my fingers.

It connected successfully the first time.

I was shocked. I tested web pages, package installs, IM, it all worked. I nearly cried. I spent the last week experimenting with the programs I would need and finally, yesterday, I installed Ubuntu on my main computer in my basement office. I don’t intend to look back. I’m keeping the Vista install so I can play my favorite MMO, but that’s it.

I also ordered a Dell Mini 9 with Linux. It should arrive soon. I fully intend to wipe the Dell 8.04.1 install for 8.10 with Netbook Remix (can’t live without the broadband support). Eventually I’ll also get one for my daughter, so my daughter’s first computer will run Linux.

As I told a friend today, after four years in Presales, I’m starting to reclaim my geek.

Procrastination

Yes, I know I should be writing, but I really wanted to get the new site up. What do you think?

Still at 14,103 as last reported on Twitter. Should easily get my daily goal tonight.

Slow going

Between the election, stomach instabilities, travel, dreary weather in the Seattle area, being away from my family, and the distinct possibility of a change of focus at work, things have been going very slow for me for NaNo this year. Normally I have well over 10,000 words by now; I’m scraping by so far and keeping pace with the daily word goals. It doesn’t help that I did little planning this year, which is forcing me to do a lot of the creation of the world as I go. Normally this wouldn’t really be an issue, but given the stuff I’m going through right now, it has turned into a drag.

I’ll keep trudging on. I have no intention of giving up. I just hope that, once I get back to my home and family that things will improve.

Day one accomplished

I fell asleep before posting an update yesterday. I ended at 3013 words. Things are rolling along.

I went to a quieter afternoon write-in in the afternoon. Nice group. I’m glad I can go to them this year.

Now to get chores done and more writing today.

This is going to be interesting

Things I’ve already learned about this year’s NaNo run:

• The switch to Dvorak is more of a detriment than I thought (shocker!)
• I have no idea what’s going to happen after my initial opening scene
• I still don’t have a clear idea where I want this thing to end up
• Somehow, I’m still not worried

I went to a kickoff party last night, had a ball, and still managed over 1000 words before leaving for home. Great night. Even with the uncertainty of the plot, I still think this is going too be a great run.

I'm ready, and yet I'm not.

First, Dvorak. Am I fast? No. Am I fast ENOUGH? I think so. I have not gone back to QWERTY at all. My skill is coming along. And I figure by the time NaNo is over, I’ll be even better. I’m where I wanted to be by now, so I’m satisfied.

As for my story, I have a few characters, a very rough plot and a starting scene. I have found that, in the last three attempts, I did better when I didn’t over-plan and let things develop as they go. One downside: I don’t know how this one ends yet. I have to figure that out between now and Saturday. Then I’ll be ready.

Background fic #2

Here’s the second fic. Again, rough and not guaranteed to reflect the final story.

Background fic #1

In an attempt to keep this simple, I’m naming these after the main characters in them. This is the first of two planned background fics. These are rough and mainly to set the stage for what’s coming in the NaNo novel.

The good, the bad, and the… good.

It looks like my story, as was hinted at in the vid, will have two protagonists. Can’t tell you why yet. It would give some things away.

I have profiles written on both, as well as for the antagonist. I got far enough to give them physical descriptions and names (which came last, as intended).

It’s amazing how much plot material is sitting in the profiles…

I need to put together a few more important characters and rough in the story arc. Once that’s done, I’ll write up a short prequel (a teaser, if you will) from the background material. I’ll post it here when I’m done.

NaNoWriMo 2008 Vid 2 – Story Info

Second NaNoWriMo 2008 pre-vid: early story info.