Author Liesel K. Hill's Musings on Fantasia...
Showing posts with label NaNoWriMo Updates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NaNoWriMo Updates. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
Catching Fire Film + NaNoWriMo Updates with 3 Days to Go
With only three days left in the month, I've written 46,453 words in November, which puts me at 60,147 words for my novel overall. I have three days to write 3,547 words. I don't think I'll have a problem hitting it, but there is a little thing called Thanksgiving tomorrow, so wish me luck!
And good luck to everyone else finishing up their own NaNo projects.
Plot: Since I didn't get to re-read the book, I'm hazy on any smaller details that might have been lost or changed in the book to movie transition. But I can tell you that, for the most part, they stuck to the plot very well. All the big elements I was hoping for were there, and I didn't see any major deviations. They did, unfortunately, cut all of Haymitch's back story. Disappointing, yes, as it helps the reader/viewer understand his anger toward the games more fully, but it actually didn't bother me much. Granted, that may be because I've read the books and feel like I already know the character pretty well, but I asked my sisters, who haven't read the books, about it, and they didn't seem too bothered by it either. While they reported that they'd be interested to hear more back story, they said the fact that Haymitch is angry, that he connects heavily with Katniss and Peeta, etc., his back story can be guessed at. So, this particular omission didn't seem to be a problem for most moviegoers.
And good luck to everyone else finishing up their own NaNo projects.
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Catching Fire Movie Review
*No Spoilers! I promise!*
I went and saw Catching Fire over the weekend, as many people did. I had wanted to re-read it before seeing the film, just because it's been a few years since I read it, but I didn't get around to it. Not only did I not have much time (NaNo and all) but I couldn't seem to get my hands on a copy. I know I have at least three family members who own it, but no one seems to know where their copies are. With Christmas on the horizon, I'm trying to (temporarily of course! :D) cut down on my book spending.Plot: Since I didn't get to re-read the book, I'm hazy on any smaller details that might have been lost or changed in the book to movie transition. But I can tell you that, for the most part, they stuck to the plot very well. All the big elements I was hoping for were there, and I didn't see any major deviations. They did, unfortunately, cut all of Haymitch's back story. Disappointing, yes, as it helps the reader/viewer understand his anger toward the games more fully, but it actually didn't bother me much. Granted, that may be because I've read the books and feel like I already know the character pretty well, but I asked my sisters, who haven't read the books, about it, and they didn't seem too bothered by it either. While they reported that they'd be interested to hear more back story, they said the fact that Haymitch is angry, that he connects heavily with Katniss and Peeta, etc., his back story can be guessed at. So, this particular omission didn't seem to be a problem for most moviegoers.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Inspiring Stories for Monday!
Happy Monday, Everyone! Seeing as how this is the final week of NaNoWriMo, and I'm kind of jumping around for content, I've decided to just post a couple of links and, of course, my NaNo updates. Check out my OTHER BLOG for a super creepy unsolved crime tidbit that's less than a year old!
1) I posted this story on Facebook, but it's just so dang inspiring, I think everyone should read it. Perhaps it will help us be more grateful and more giving this Thanksgiving!
2) If you want some great Thanksgiving stories, check out this anthology: Thanksgiving Tales, edited by Brian Jaffe. I don't make any money on its sales, but I do have a story in there called Hill vs. Hill vs. Hill. It's about my family's annual (and somewhat hysterical) Thanksgiving football game.
3) NaNo Updates. As of today, I've written 39,460 words for NaNo, which puts me at 53,154 words total for my book, Desolate Mantle. I officially have 5 days to hit 50,000 words, which means I have to write roughly 10,000 words this week. Wish me luck! :D
What did you think of the typhoon stori?
1) I posted this story on Facebook, but it's just so dang inspiring, I think everyone should read it. Perhaps it will help us be more grateful and more giving this Thanksgiving!
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3) NaNo Updates. As of today, I've written 39,460 words for NaNo, which puts me at 53,154 words total for my book, Desolate Mantle. I officially have 5 days to hit 50,000 words, which means I have to write roughly 10,000 words this week. Wish me luck! :D
What did you think of the typhoon stori?
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
5 Tips for Kicking NaNoWriMo's Butt! (10 Days Left!)
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1. Re-structure your goals. Especially if you're behind, look at what you have left to do and what the rest of your month looks like. Maybe adjust the daily word count or try to squeeze in some extra sessions.
2. Re-think your schedule. You might consider going without a couple of hours sleep here or there, or just cancelling something else you have planned. If so far, something or some time you've planned to write didn't work out, there's a good chance it won't work out again over the next couple of weeks.
3. Review your outline. Sometimes, no matter how much passion you have for your project, after days of wallowing in it and forcing words to come, you can get a little sick of your story. I find that going over my outline (even if it's just in my head) and picturing the story can get me hyped up about it again. Which translates into more words.
4. Remind yourself of your end-game. Maybe the next 10 Days will be difficult, but you will be 50,000...lets emphasize that: 50,000 words closer to finishing your book. Keep your eye on the prize!
5. Ask for family and friend support. Tell your spouse or kids not to let you get distracted until your words for today are written. Have them help keep you accountable. You could always bribe the kiddos with something like, "we can't go to the park until mommy/daddy finishes their work." Maybe that will get you some quiet time. You never know!
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6. Don't be afraid to reward yourself. I'm certainly not above bribing myself to hit my word count. If I find my motivation lacking, I tell myself I can eat some chocolate, but not until I hit my daily goal. It really does work. Find out what works for you. Food? A walk? A favorite TV show? Do what it takes to hit your word count.
7. Give yourself a break. I don't know how everyone else is structuring their NaNo, but I don't write every single day. But if you DO, and one morning you just feel like you can't, and no motivation helps, don't be afraid to take a day off. Granted, you may have to write more later to make up your missed words, but taking a day off may re-charge your batteries enough to make it happen. Besides, burning yourself out completely won't get your novel written any sooner.
8. Watch this video. It's geared toward athletics, but will make you feel like you can do anything and everything on earth. (courtesy of youtube.com)
9. And this one from the LDS Storymakers Conference! It will make you want to write. A lot. FOREVER!!! (courtesy of youtube.com)
10. Just do it! Yeah, it's the Nike logo. And lots of athletes use it. But in truth, it goes for any goal and any profession. No matter how hard it is or how much you need a break, just stop complaining and do it.
Do YOU have any tips for pushing through NaNoWriMo?
Monday, November 18, 2013
Attention Historical Fiction Lovers + NaNoWirMo Updates!
Happy Monday, Everyone!
I have two orders of business today 1) NaNoWriMo Updates and 2) an invitation for historical fiction lovers!
1) NaNoWriMo is going great! I was going to give a numbers update, but I didn't get as much writing done on Desolate Mantles over the weekend as I would have liked, so I think I'll wait until tomorrow. Hehe. I've had both troubles and good things, so I suppose I'll get a post or two out of my first NaNoWriMo experience. Stay tuned!
2) As many of you know, I recently got the cover art for my forthcoming historical fiction set in Russia in the middle ages (see cover below). Citadels of Fire is set to hit shelves in May, but I should be getting ARCs for it in the next couple of months, and I'll be sending out requests for reviews.
If anyone wants to beat the hype and would like the chance to review Citadels of Fire, send me an email at lkhillbooks@gmail.com and I'll be sure to include you when the ARCs arrive. Below is a blurb so you can decide if it's for you. I look forward to hearing from anyone interested!
Well, have a great Monday, and a great week, everyone! Happy NaNoWriMo!
How's everyone's Monday going?
I have two orders of business today 1) NaNoWriMo Updates and 2) an invitation for historical fiction lovers!
1) NaNoWriMo is going great! I was going to give a numbers update, but I didn't get as much writing done on Desolate Mantles over the weekend as I would have liked, so I think I'll wait until tomorrow. Hehe. I've had both troubles and good things, so I suppose I'll get a post or two out of my first NaNoWriMo experience. Stay tuned!
2) As many of you know, I recently got the cover art for my forthcoming historical fiction set in Russia in the middle ages (see cover below). Citadels of Fire is set to hit shelves in May, but I should be getting ARCs for it in the next couple of months, and I'll be sending out requests for reviews.
If anyone wants to beat the hype and would like the chance to review Citadels of Fire, send me an email at lkhillbooks@gmail.com and I'll be sure to include you when the ARCs arrive. Below is a blurb so you can decide if it's for you. I look forward to hearing from anyone interested!
Well, have a great Monday, and a great week, everyone! Happy NaNoWriMo!
In a world where power is paid for in blood, no one ever aspires to more than what they were born to, and danger hides in plain sight, Inga, a maid in the imperial Russian palace, must find the courage to break the oppressive chains she’s been bound with since birth.
Inga’s life in sixteenth century Russia is bleak until a man she crossed paths with as a child returns to the Kremlin. Taras is convinced his mother’s death when he was a boy was no mere accident and has returned to try and discover what really happened, all during the reign of Ivan the Terrible, the most brutal and notorious ruler ever to sit on the throne of Russia.
While Taras only finds lies and silence where he seeks truth, Inga struggles with the feelings of oppression that have plagued her for most of her life. Taras gives her the chance to leave her loneliness behind forever, but the cost and future of such a liaison is uncertain and Inga is afraid.
Up against the social confines of the time, the shadowy conspiracies that cloak their history, and the sexual politics of the Russian imperial court, Inga and Taras must discover their past, plan for their future, and survive the brutality that permeates life within the four walls that tower over them, or they may end up like so many citizens of ancient Russia: nothing but flesh and bone mortar for the stones of the Kremlin wall.
How's everyone's Monday going?
Monday, November 11, 2013
It's Monday: What does YOUR week look like + NaNo Updates!
Good Monday Morning, All! I hope everyone had a safe, wonderful weekend. I was quite busy, though happily, I managed to accomplish plenty of work and also play a little. My sister and I did some early Christmas shopping and tons of holiday planning, but we also saw not one, but two films Yea! I don't think I've been to the movies since the summer. The last thing I remember seeing in the theaters was The Great Gatsby, and that was quite some time ago!
Anyway, this post is just to say good morning, wish everyone a great week, and also say that my posts for the rest of the month will probably more sparse than usual. I don't think I mentioned it at all last week, but I"m participating in NaNoWriMo. I had a fairly normal posting schedule last week, but that's only because I wrote up most of last week's posts days before NaNo started. Now, I'm in the thick of it, already behind on my word count, and the holidays are coming at us faster than I can believe.
So...if I'm a bit absent over the next few weeks--less commenting, less interaction, and the like--that's why. I may do simple, paragraph-long posts each day to give updates on NaNo and other small things, but that's all. For right now, I have 7,405 words written. A bit behind, as you can see (I should have roughly double that by now) but I hope to get caught up this week. Wish me luck! So, everyone have a great week, good luck to everyone participating in NaNo, and wish me luck as well!
Cheers! :D
Anyone else doing NaNo? How's it going?
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Anyway, this post is just to say good morning, wish everyone a great week, and also say that my posts for the rest of the month will probably more sparse than usual. I don't think I mentioned it at all last week, but I"m participating in NaNoWriMo. I had a fairly normal posting schedule last week, but that's only because I wrote up most of last week's posts days before NaNo started. Now, I'm in the thick of it, already behind on my word count, and the holidays are coming at us faster than I can believe.
So...if I'm a bit absent over the next few weeks--less commenting, less interaction, and the like--that's why. I may do simple, paragraph-long posts each day to give updates on NaNo and other small things, but that's all. For right now, I have 7,405 words written. A bit behind, as you can see (I should have roughly double that by now) but I hope to get caught up this week. Wish me luck! So, everyone have a great week, good luck to everyone participating in NaNo, and wish me luck as well!
Cheers! :D
Anyone else doing NaNo? How's it going?
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