Writing Retreat Day 1

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Hi people 🙂

Have you missed me? He he he!

Well, I have 226 e mails in my inbox that need sorting, but, I’ve managed To get my word count up to 18,163 for Nano! (That’s a lie actually, I’ve managed to get my e mails down to 101 by taking full advantage of the WordPress “like” button).

I’m sorry I’m so behind with all your blogs, will catch up on Sunday I promise 🙂

I was told this place is lovely, and it is! Must be fantastic in the summer that’s for sure!

This place would be ideal for inspiration for a gothic novel 😉

My room is very nice, and I’m going to enjoy walking round the gardens tomorrow 🙂

The only problem is that I’ve finished Sorrento Sunrise, yep, it’s done, at 18,000 words….Oh, dear lol. The question now is whether I try to pad it out with 30,000 words or move onto something else? I can’t believe it! Where have I gone wrong! Lol

So what should I do….add loads of waffle, or start working on something else?

My First Nano “Write In” As An ML

Posted on November 3, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Sorry about the lateness of todays post, its been a busy day. I hosted my first Nano Write In this morning as a Co ML 🙂

There were 11 Wrimo’s all told including me, most of which were newbies so it was great! I cracked the whip and we did 3 sprints and chatted. I enjoyed it, and i hope they did too 🙂

There were quite a few people who were writing by hand in notebooks which was great to see. I love writing by hand, but it’s all that transferring it onto the netbook that I can’t face lol

Do you prefer writing by hand or tapping away at the keyboard?

Today was the day of the sex scene *sharp intake of breath* but there was just something wrong about writing a sex scene sitting in Caffe Nero with a group of Wrimo’s so I chickened out lol

Deciding to just write the words and then I’ll go back to it when I’m more in the mood *snigger* 😉

So today’s word count was 1879 which takes me up to the grand total of 5644 at the end of day three. So I’m slightly ahead of schedule, for now 🙂

so how are my fellow Wrimo’s doing?

Let The Donkey See The Carrot!

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

The donkey…..is me…..the carrot? 50,000 words! (Or rather a nice pretty winners certificate) 😉

It’s the 1st of November!!!!!! And you know what that means don’t you?

NANOWRIMO!!!!!

Yep, today’s the day we all started writing…..and I’ve started Nano 2012 with a stinking cold (all say awwwww….I need sympathy lol) so I feel like complete shit, or rather, an old decrepit donkey that’s on it’s last legs *snigger* 😉

TYPICAL!

I’m going to try not to make every single post this month Nano orientated, so bear with me 🙂

So, I’ve done ok, managed to write 1695 words, so I’m pleased 🙂

Now, I bet you’re wondering what choice I made. Which WIP did I choose to use for Nano? Well, if you want to find out you’ll have to go visit Anushka’s blog Finding My Creature, where i am “Nano Creature Number 1” and will be revealing ALL!

How has Nano Day One been for you?

Will You Be Nano-ing? (the-view-outside.com)
1 more sleep! (findingmycreature.wordpress.com)
NANO Guest Post – Calling on NanoCreatures (findingmycreature.wordpress.com)
NaNoWriMo Time!! (clairegillian.com)

The To Do List 29th October to 4th November

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

I’m not too sure how these “to do lists” will work during November, so I guess we’ll just have to see.

How did I do with last weeks list?

1. Continue with Faber homework. Done! Although I didn’t do the 5000 words, but more on that later.

2. Do synopsis for writing group. Ummmmm, pass…..I’m not sure you can do one if you don’t know how the story will end lol.

3. Change Faber piece from 1st person to 3rd person. Done! Still don’t like it! Lol

4. Finish current read. Nope, not read much fiction this week 😦

5. Make some decisions. Done! And feeling much calmer lol

So this week see’s the start of Nano *gulp* and I’m not exactly practising what I preach 😉 I’m still not 100% sure which WIP I’ll be working on lol. I don’t want to end up one of those writers who has a drawer (metaphorically) full of unfinished manuscripts, if you know what I mean lol.

So the options are:
A rewrite of But Not Forgotten
Continue with The View Outside
Start Sorrento Sunrise

I’ll probably decide the night before *snigger*

So on to this weeks list…..

1. Faber homework etc Always takes priority!

2. Look at But Not Forgotten and decide which 5,000 words to submit.

3. Start Christmas shopping. Yes, I know it’s not writing related, but the quicker I get it done the better 😉

4. Stock freezer for bad weather. Apparently, we’re due some major snow this year in the UK….great 😦 Let’s hope it doesn’t affect my retreat or my write ins!

Good luck to all my fellow Wrimo’s. I’m afraid, those of you not taking part might find this months blog a bit boring (lots of Nano talk). So I apologise in advance 🙂 I might get a bit behind with commenting on your blogs too….perhaps I can just give up sleeping 😉

Off to Faber tonight!

So what are your plans for the week?

6 NaNoWriMo Tips + #ROW80 and a NEW Twitter Handle (jennyhansenauthor.wordpress.com)

The To Do List 22nd to 28th October

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Last week was a stressful week. Have I ever said writing is easy? I hope not, because, trust me, it isn’t lol. I’m always as honest and open with my readers, so can I just say that this week sucked! lol.

I needed to start writing my piece for the Faber course, I asked everyone’s advice, made a start, got to 2321 words then had a major melt down 😦 I’ve written it in 1st person and I’m just not gelling with it. Perhaps I’m a 3rd person kind of girl? Perhaps it’s the wrong thing to write? Perhaps I’m over thinking? Lol. I dunno….but what I do know is that this writing malarkey is hard work! 🙂

So, how did I get on with last weeks list?

1. Faber homework. Well, I’ve made a start, but, it’s not going well 😦 I read all the handouts and made some notes. I’m beginning to wonder if starting a new novel from scratch was a big mistake.

2. Finish reading current book. Nope, in fact I haven’t done much reading at all this week 😦

3. Get out winter clothes and boots. Done! But I’ve not put the summer stuff away lol

This weeks list…

1. Continue with Faber homework. We’ll probably get more handouts tonight.

2. Do synopsis for writing group. For which novel? I seem to have 4 now lol

3. Change Faber piece from 1st person to 3rd person.

4. Finish current read.

5. Make some decisions. Yeah, my brain aches. I seem to have two WIPS, Nano looming, and it seems my tutor liked the piece I submitted to Faber in the first place.

Going tonight, so might have a chat to him, see what he thinks 🙂

What are your writing plans for the week?

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Bonus post today…..

I’m guesting for Chris at The Kelworth Files, where he asked me a few Nano related questions 🙂

The Kelworth Files

I’m pleased to shine the spotlight on Vikki tonight!

What’s the most unusual part of your writing process?
It’s probably not unusual as such, but…..I have a practice session every day. Before I write anything else I do a writing prompt, by hand in my notebook. It’s usually first thing in the morning, that seems the best time. It gets my brain in gear, helps me to focus, and puts me in writing mode.

Where are your backup files?
I use memory sticks. I seem to collect unusual ones. I have a memory stick pen (pen one end, USB the other) and a necklace. The necklace looks like a black heart, but actually comes apart to reveal a USB.

What advice would you give to all your fellow WriMos?
Don’t give up! I’ve seen it happen too many times 😦 You get to 15,000 words (or less) and decide that…

View original post 251 more words

Will You Be Nano-ing?

Posted on October 10, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

If you’ve never heard of Nanowrimo, get yourself over to C A Husted’s blog and see what it’s all about…..

Nanowrimo, or National Novel Writing Month is where really silly people decide to write a 50,000 word novel in one month, yep, one month. It starts on the 1st November and ends at midnight on the 31st. To consider to be a winner you have to have written 50,000 words (which you then have to upload to get verified before you get your winners certificate).

Ok, we’re not really silly people as such, most of us are in full control of our faculties, most of the time 😉 But, it is a challenge, it does make for a hectic month, and if you manage to do the full 50,000 words you’ll be so sick of your WIP you’ll want to dump it in the nearest river! Just kidding with that last bit 😉

This will be my 3rd year as a participant (if you want to add me to your buddy list over there I’m angelchildvikki) and this year I’m a CoML to boot (like an area rep).

Now, I have a problem with this years Nano. I was intending to do my Mills & Boon novel. I did my “WIP Bible”, all the planning sorted, and I’m ready to go…..but, I’m doing the Faber course, so wouldn’t it be a better idea to concentrate on the Faber novel for Nano? Trying to write 2 novels at the same time, during Nano is madness, right? *slump*

Why do I always get myself into these messes? My husband despairs lol.

So it appears that I need to make a decision, seriously. Damiano and Kate just may have to go on the back burner until April 😉

And talking of Nano, if you’re passionate about it Suzan Butler and Anushka at Finding My Creature are both looking for bloggers who would like to do guest posts about Nano during November, I’m tempted. 😉

So, will you be Nano-ing this year?

To NaNo or Not To NaNo? (jamigray.com)
To NaNo or Not To NaNo? (7evildwarves.wordpress.com)
NaNo What – O? (cahusted.wordpress.com)
NaNoWriMo is right around the corner! (melissamwolff.com)

Nanowrimo Discussion at Writability

Nail Your Novel – Tips

Too Many Choices

Posted on July 20, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Ok, so now that I’ve stopped working on But Not Forgotten and I’ve got over the shock lol, I’m ready to make a commitment to a shiny brand new WIP 🙂

I have 3 choices….help me mull them over and then give me your opinion.

Choice number 1 The Daisy Chain idea I had for my 26 characters (the ones I did for the Blogging A-Z Challenge). I love the idea of this, but, 26 characters? Is that too much? I’ve come up with an idea that links them all together, and I’ve kind of got an ending. But, in a time where agents are telling us that publishers are steering away from huge tomes, and this will definitely be a large book, is that sensible? It’s definitely got a concept, and it’s definitely different.

Choice number 2 The Jersey war story. Now, I love this idea too, but, it will take a lot of research. If I did decide to try to get it published I would immediately be labelling myself as a historical fiction writer (do I want that?). Are people not sick of war stories?

Choice number 3 My original Nano 2012 idea was for a story told from 2 different viewpoints, about someone who goes missing. I watched a TV show that had a section about missing persons and they talked about the families, what they go through. That piqued my interest. So yes, that one has concept, and is different too.

So can you see my dilemma? lol

I’m not quite at that stage where I’m hitting my head, but I will be soon if I don’t make a decision lol. Nano is looming 🙂

Advice and thoughts much needed 😉

Pitching The WIP (the-view-outside.com)

The Work In Progress

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Vikki Thompson

Affectionately referred to as WIP 😉

I haven’t exactly told you anything about it have I? Oh dear, me bad lol. Well, to be honest, it wasn’t a WIP until recently, it was more like an WNP (work not progressing) lol

Back in 2010 I decided to take part in Nano, which, at the time, was a ridiculous task to undertake, as I’d only been to a couple of creative writing lessons at my local Adult Ed and hadn’t written a thing (fictional) since leaving school (and no, I’m not telling you how many years ago that was lol). But, always up for a challenge, I threw myself into Nano, and wrote 65,000 words in just under 2 weeks. Once I’d started, I couldn’t stop 🙂

But, once I did stop, I couldn’t start again, and the poor little MS ended up languishing on my Netbook, unfinished, until last month.

My success at Nano (I’ve completed both 2010 & 2011) I put down to the fact that I don’t edit, at all, not in the slightest. So there are spelling mistakes, full stops missing, capital letters that have wandered off, you name it. I find it very easy to write like that, but, the mammoth editing task has meant that summoning up the strength and courage to attempt to edit has been my downfall 😦

So with the encouragement of my tutor at writing classes, last month, I tentatively opened the file for the first time in, ooooo, 16months lol. It did have an outing in August 2011, where the first 2 chapters were printed off and given to Emma Darwin for a critique. Her comments and thoughts about it were pretty positive (thank heavens) so why wasn’t that enough to get me fired up to finish it?

To be honest, it’s my age old problem…..I don’t know how to finish it, I don’t know how I want it to end lol. I even did a poll on FaceBook, asking my friends, do you prefer a happy ending? The general consensus was yes, but, that as long as it was “satisfying” it didn’t necessarily need to be happy. Oh, come on guys, you’re no help, I wanted a definitive yes or no answer!!!! Lol

Sooooo, anyway, I have now edited the prologue, changed it from 3rd person to 1st person at Emma Darwin’s suggestion, and I’m just about to start editing the first chapter *gulp*

So now you know the title 😉 as for genre, that’s a hard one. I haven’t written a synopsis yet (something else that needs doing lol) so the only way I can describe it is by saying its a family saga about 2 brothers and it’s written in the omniscient POV (each chapter is in 3rd person centring around a different character). It starts with a suicide, theres murder, corruption, love, sadness and a young woman who discovers the father she thought was her father was actually her uncle lol. When my husband read it he said it was like reading a film, ie different scenes. Sounds confusing I know, but I guess, once I finish it and get a couple of Beta readers, we’ll see if it really is readable 😉

So how about that ending? do you agree with my Facebook friends? Do you prefer a happy ending?