It's started.

As one of about sixteen people in all of Montclair who did not lose power... well, I'm lucky. Also, I do wish I could have started oh say a week early? But NaNo has started, and even though I was out much of the weekend I did manage to not get too far behind (even if i'm not ahead). Managed to figure out a way to approach the fantasy series without boring myself. Problem: this is set up as a novella series. Which means that 50k is on the high side. Still I feel like doing two at 25k is a bit slow. I'll have to see how it goes. Heck if I do 35k of story and 15k of world building to be excised later I think I'll be doing good. This one even has a working title!

NaNoWriMo 2012

I am doing my setup for this year's NaNo and am wondering if it would be better this year to just write for a certain amount of time. How far behind would I get, were I to do it time based rather than word based?

Revisions

After months of researching, reading, and futile revision attempts, I have finally figured out a method of story structure that is working for me.

At least, for this manuscript.

Foyle's War

Been watching Foyle's War, cause, you know, umm... research? What I find interesting about it is that it truly highlights the contemporary subtext of detective-as-priest; moreover, I find it interesting that the driver character's actual father is an actual vicar, and her surrogate father is a surrogate priest. At one point there is even a moment where he talks to a woman who believes her brother is wrongly accused and there are many discussions of him possibly helping her cope with it should her brother be guilty. He speaks of doing what is right; his morality is unimpeachable; people are driven to confess to him. No one, not even doctors, face chaos in modern life (or is it just pop culture?) as do detectives. But often this is coupled with isolation. More than a priest, a detective may be closer to a shaman: appeasing the capricious spirit of justice, descending into the depths, completely alone. Also, chain lightning. Ok, maybe tasers? So they're enhance maybe, dual wield something something. I also admit I like all the Spitfires. I'd kvell for some Lysander footage. I would.

Sound Technology of the 19th Century

Interesting to think about the interior soundscape of the time. I do talk about this a bit in the story--moving through interior spaces, contrasting the noise if the mill with the silence of upper middle class/middle class rooms.

Sound Technology of the 19th Century, via @Brainpicker

I still love Colson Whitehead

Bitter snark and all.

Rules for Writing

Working

Funny. When I was young I thought everything was talent and creativity and I felt helpless, no matter how many times I was told I was talented and creative.

Being told to just keep working--well. At least it's something I can do, something I can control.