50,000 Words Day 27

Today I had no problem with completing my word count and exceeding it. I wrote 2909 words today, giving me a grand total of 45,512 words! I have three days left and I know that I will finish the task. If you are reading this blog for the first time, I am writing 50,000 word novel in 30 days using the program, No Plot? No Problem! novel-writing kit by Chris Baty. Today is day 27.

It is actually very freeing to know that I have done this and not stopped part way through like a thousand other projects that I have started and not completed over the last many years. There are so many unfinished projects. They come in all categories. I have an entire drawer in my craft room, (which is an unfinished project in itself.), an entire drawer filled with uncompleted sewing, embroidery, crewel, and needlework projects. I have boxes of quilts that I haven't even started-pieces cut out, all ready to stitch, just not done. I have unfinished manuscripts. I have paint that has dried up because I never used it. Always waiting, waiting for the perfect time, the perfect mood, the perfect environment, the perfect... Well, this time I didn't wait for all things perfect. I just did it or at least I am doing it and will complete it on Sunday, if not before. I'd like to be able to finish it in 29 days but no pressure.

I finished the storyline with the murder mystery in it. It actually tied together a couple of storylines and ended up with three seperate murders. I know, it all sounds hokey, but I think it is going to be an entertaining book when I am done editing it. At least there is one thing that I can say about it, it will be finished!

50,000 Words Day 25, 26

I haven't posted since Monday. My instructions for week four were just to get to 50,000 words so I am writing. As of tonight, my total word count is now 42,603! I can see the finish line! If you haven't seen this blog before, it is about my journey to write a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. I am using No Plot? No Problem! novel writing-kit by Chris Baty.

Today I came close to completing a major knot in my storyline-just a small detail and that one will be done tomorrow. I have three story threads to complete. One of them may just have to wait until the next novel. It may be too big a piece to complete. I don't know. I'll let the characters decide for me. No working title yet, but it will reveal itself to me. Telling this story is like piecing together a quilt. The pattern gets picked out. I think that this one is a Crazy Quilt. Then you follow the pattern using fabrics of different colors. The colors are usually divided into light, medium and dark. The prints are usually divided into small, medium and large. Even a Crazy Quilt has a pattern of sorts. I am now finishing up my blocks and have started laying them out to find the best contrast and combinations of colors. The people are divided into different categories and different personalities. Then they are put into different situations ranging from joy to trauma. In a few days I'll let you know how it turns out.

50,000 Words Days 19-23 summary, and now 24

I have not posted in a few days. Needless to say, I had my mind on other things. My friend Michael passed away and I had the opportunity to help plan and play the piano for her service and coordinated the music that she wanted played. This is someone I loved. I have prayed for her recovery. Her recovery came in the form of God's arms wrapping around her and taking her home to be with her daughter, Meadowe and son-in-law, Rob. I am writing this book, in part, because of her encouragemt. I am the person that I am, in part, because of her impact on my life. I haven't posted,but I have been writing. I should say that my characters are telling their stories, because all I have to do, is pick up my pen and the characters have just started talking. That is not the way that I started out. I had to work hard to come up with the dialogue. Now it just comes without thought.

Over the last few days I wrote 5212 words which brought my total up to 35,833. Today I wrote 2376 words for a grand total of 38,209 words on day 24. I thought I only had 5 story lines to finish up but, I find that I have after completing two today, I still have 5 story lines to complete including a murder mystery that as yet I haven't solved. Well, I am satisfied that I am keeping to the task. My week 4 instructions are just to get to 50,000 words and more if I can. 6 days to go. Again, I am using No Plot? No Problem! novel writing-kit by Chris Baty. Here is an excerpt from today:

Malcolm whispered to his horses as he led them out of the stall, following behind the groom. "Be proud my boy. Hold up your heads. Prance for me boys! They walked into the ring. They did him proud as a gasp could be heard when the crowd got a good look at his "proud boys." They pranced a syncronized manner all around the ring. He drew them to the center and opened each of their mouths showing off their healthy teeth. He lifted each leg, showing the crowd their manicured hooves. The auctioneer started giving their statistics and then the bidding started. "Who will give me $50? Yup! $75? Hey! $125? Yup. $250? Ha! $500?...On and on it went. Malcolm just stood with his face buried in between his boys heads, whispering how much he loved them; how much he appreciated them, thanking them for saving his family farm and how he would never forget them. He prayed for God to give them a kind master and then suddenly he was being tapped on the shoulder. "Sir, you are done. Come this way." Done, what had happened? He was startled,"What happened?" The room was in an uproar with men shouting and hats going up in the air. He walked the boys out of the ring and once again, they pranced for the audience. A new roar went up and applause exploded! "Well done my boy! Well done! Edward grabbed his arm with his father coming up and grabbing the reins, helping him walk out through the crowd. They walked back to the stables. "I don't know what happened! I just kept whispering to the horses trying to keep them and mysel calm. What happened?" Daniel spoke up. "What happened? You are kidding? Your"boys" made history, that's what happened! Two major horse handlers, representing major horse farms got into a bidding war! I've never seen anything like it and probably never will again! Your "boys" went for a record $1500!

50,000 Words Day 18

Names, names, names! I am sick of thinking of more first, middle and last names. Every time I think I have a long enough list, then I run out of names. You don't think about this kind of stuff until you start writing. You need first names for women, children, men, last names for everyone and often a middle name. It is hard to keep track of so, I have lists of families to keep them correctly configured. Anyways, I completed my words for the day. Finished up one of the hanging chads that I had and it is late. My count for today was 2103 and I am too tired to give you a total but it is more than yesterday and my computer keeps acting up, freezing or the mouse gets lost. So I am shutting it down without giving you the figure but it is more then 32,000, that I know. so no picture and no number and no motivation. Frustrated with my computer.

50,000 Words Day 17

Today I spent time with my grandbabies, thanking God for their health, their laughter, their minds and imagination. I wrote after coming home and the characters again, told me their stories. My goal was 2000 words. I completed 2129 words. My total on day 17 of my 30 day journey to write a 50,000 word novel is at 30,361. This week, the number seem to jump exponentially rater than slowly like week two, exactly what Chris Baty, the creator of No Plot? No Problem! novel writing-kit. He said this week would flow with words and story lines would come together miraculously and that is exactly what is happening.

I have five storylines that need to be completed. Each of them small parts of the larger whole and necessary to the overall tale. All have been started, some even almost done. None of them follow the other. They are all at different points in the story. There is one however, that may take more words than I have left. That is okay. I just am surprised by it. When I started this project, I thought 50,000 words would be more than enough to complete my tale, whatever it ended up being. Whatever I end up with, I think will be pretty amazing.

50,000 Words Day 16

It's late and I want to go to bed but I got my words completed. I needed 2000 today and I got 2026. On Day 16 of my 30 day journey to 50,000 words,I am at 28,232 words. Not bad. My issue at this point is to try and tie up lots of story lines that are only partially completed. Try not to kill of anyone else. Dangerous times back then. I have several characters that are just lines because I have no name for them as of yet. My name list is down to the dregs.

If you are reading this blog for the first time, you will need to know that I am using No Plot? No Problem! novel writing-kit by Chris Baty. My motivation card is motivation for me only today so no sharing...

50,000 Words Day 15

Today I passed the halfway mark. From now on, I need to write 2,000 words per day to stay on track. My total word count today is 2,650. Total words in 15 days is 26,206 words. Hope you enjoyed my little tidbit yesterday. Also, just a reminder that I am writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. I am using No Plot? No Problem! novel writing-kit by Chris Baty. I will give you another taste today. The setting is a farmhouse dining room on a Sunday afternoon. The family has returned from church where something distressing took place.

Cousin Louise was unusually quiet throught the preparation of the meal and right up until we all sat down to eat. Cousin Samuel blessed the food and as he started to say Amen, Cousin Louise started in. "Father, forgive me for any harsh feelings that I harbor toward Aribella Quantz. Help me to find a fresh way of speaking kindly to her. Bless her in ways that only You can. Watch over the Curtis family. Give me strength to help them. Usemy hands, my feet and my mouth to do what needs to be done. Amen." I looked up and Cousin Louise sat there at the table and cried before us. Samuel came around the table and reached down and hugged with all his might. I could hear him whispering to her that it would be alright, that he would help her make it alright. Well, at that poin, no one was eating. We were just staring at the two of them. Cousin Louise wiped her eyes and spoke, "Girls, do remember that Mark 9:42 tells us that even when we give someone a cup of cold water we do it in His name. Matthew 25:40 says "I tell you the truth to the extent you did it to one of these brothers of mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me... Do you understand what this means?" Norma replied,"Mama we need to help the Curtis Family, don't we?" "Yes, sweetheart, we do." I am going to ask each of you to take one piece of chicken, a piece of bread, a dollop of mashed potates and gravy and then I am going to pack the rest up and take it over to the Curtis family. We have lots more out in the kitchen." Everyone did as they were told and then together, they pack that meal up and added eggs, milk, butter, two more loaves of bread, jars of canned goods set up from the garden. Samuel carried packages out to the carrige while they packed. Cousin Louise then told them that she and Father would drive over to the Curtis' and then when they got back Harriet would need to be packed to leave for home. I spoke up and told her that"I was packed up already." She asked if I minded riding along then, because it would save Samuel an hour or more worth of time. So it was, that I had the privilege of seeing those children tumbling out of the bushes and trees and the door of their little home as we pulled into the drive. Mrs. Curtis stepped to the door and then turned and called to her husband. The two of them, with a baby in her arms, stood solemnly in the doorway looking at us.

Cousin Samuel got out of the carriage and walked around to the back. Cousin Louise climbed out,took my hand and had me climb down and join her as she walked up that rocky, rough drive. "Good afternoon Jacob, Hattie. It sure is a beautiful day. I didn't get a chance to introduce you to my Cousin Harriet. She's been to our house visiting for a few days and now we are taking her back to her home in Burnside. You were on the way and we thought we would stop by for a moment." Jacob stepped out into the yard and went over to speak to Samuel. While they wer talking, Lousie told Hattie what they had brought to them. Hattie sat right down on the doorstep, throwing her apron over her head and sobbed. Louise sat down with her. I took the baby out of Hattie's arms and walked into the yard. I could barely hear the two men talking. Just snatches...need help with crops and cattle...not enough to do full-time...some help...Victor Leach...ten days...work something out... After about fifteen minutes, Cousin Louise called to me. "Harriet,bring that sweet baby back to Mrs. Curtis. We need to be on our way. Samuel, get Jacob to help you unload the back of the carriage please. We have some traveling to do." As Samuel and Jacob hauled more and more food to the house, Hattie set to crying again. Cousin Louise told her that she would see her monday and Samuel said the same to Jacob. We finally climbed back into that carriage and drove away. "Cousin Louise, that was an act of charity wasn't it?" "Harriet, that was God's love with hands and feet. We need to listen to Him when he nudges us."

Okay, I am cutting you off for now, friends. The characters are starting to tell me what their stories are and they are and I am just writing down what they tell me. So, I am not going to bother you with my motivation card today. It is called The Squint.