Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers

My Book News & Advocate for the Writing Community ©

Wordsmith’s Collective Thursday – NaNoWriMo Withdrawal

December 8, 2022
mandyevebarnett


After the frantic word count goal of November, for those of us who participated in National Novel Writing Month, December is a strangely quiet month. No longer are we racing home after work to write those elusive 1667 words for the day’s total, and hoping to exceed them. We miss the rush, the excitement, even the panic. Initially, we feel relief, then goalless and at odds with ourselves. Now, we are floating in an undisciplined mode, unable to feel comfortable – that impetuous has gone.

We all know a goal is a good thing to have. It aids our making a deadline for publisher demands, editing and revising or any self imposed goal, whether for our writing or something else. So, what is the answer? Well, we have options:

1. Continue with our NaNo project and complete the novel.

2. Leave the project to ‘rest’ or percolate until the ending, plot arc, story line etc. solidifies in your mind (if it hasn’t already.)

3. Edit and revise what you have written. We all know it will need this at some point.

4. Begin another project, or return to another unfinished one.

5. Take a break from writing. Delve into the season’s festivities.

No matter which course you take, do what is best for you. Struggling to complete a writing project, when the holidays are approaching and you have other commitments, is not the way to go. Your project will be there waiting for you.

Bibliophile Tuesday Collective – Reading Challenge Update

November 22, 2022
mandyevebarnett


Even though I am in the throws of the November writing challenge – National Novel Writing Month and as I write have surpassed the 37,000 mark, I do still read. This is for the Goodreads reading Challenge! Seems like there challenges all the way around at the moment, revolving around the written word.

This is my new total for book reading for 2022. I know some people have vastly larger numbers, and some less. It is not the number we are chasing, but the joy of reading stories. As you know I have an eclectic taste and read a variety of genres. You will see that of the five books in the illustration only one is a big name – my hero, of course, Stephen King. I will read his latest book before anything else once it is available. The other book are all from authors who live in Alberta. These are my contemporaries and I am always keen to read their work, but also support them by purchasing their books.

I will be adding to this list with my current read. An author whom I connected with through Facebook. I have interviewed her on this blog a couple of times too.

What have you read this month? What book are you most excited to read next?

Do you have local authors you support?

Wordsmith Collective Thursday – Panster & Planster NaNoWriMo Challenger

November 17, 2022
mandyevebarnett


I am a panster for the majority of my writing, and am unapologetic because of it. There is always so much time once the story has been set free on the page, for editing and revision.

However, as my current NaNoWriMo project is the third book in The Delphic Murders – Killer’s Match, and is the culmination of the series, I find myself re-reading the other two manuscripts to ensure ‘loose ends’ are tied up, descriptions of vital elements are the same and cross referencing is correct. In other words, this means I am in the realm of a planster too.

The idea for this crime trilogy came fully formed several years ago. Of course, when the idea stuck I did not fully understand the complexity of such a writing project. It has been a steep learning curve, with research into writing a three book plot arc and the individual plotting of each book, it’s characters and locations. The books are set in Red Deer, Calgary and Edmonton respectively – The Elusive Trail, The Tainted Search and Killers Match.

At the time of writing my November total is 27, 811 so half way there with a small lead. I will be utilizing a couple of vacation days to press forward with the manuscript to ensure I make the goal before the 30th November.

Let me know how your challenge is going, which genre your are writing, and the title.

Happy writing.

Wordsmith’s Collective Thursday – NaNoWriMo First Paragraph Share

November 3, 2022
mandyevebarnett


Many of us are in the heady first few days of this crazy writing challenge. Time away from our projects is ‘wasted’ time and the pull to immerse ourselves into our new stories is strong. It is our new shiny thing, and we want to spend time with it. We begin to know our characters and their plight, and the tale becomes more real in our minds.

So, my question is, are you brave enough to share your first paragraph? We all know that in the editing process it may not be structured the same, or even part of the novel at all. Let’s see what everyone is writing.

If you regularly read this blog, you know I am creating the last book in a crime trilogy. Killers Match will conclude The Delphic Murders series.

So, I will take a deep breath and expose my unedited, rough first paragraph.

Edmonton was in the grip of winters freezing temperatures, icy roads and sidewalks and snowplowed windrows on every street. Multiple traffic accidents kept the local police patrols busy and ice related falls crowded the hospital waiting rooms. It is in such an emergency room, amid the overpowering aroma of chemicals, vomit, blood and sweat that we find Avril Finn, gritting her teeth as she tries to convince a heavy bodied nurse she is indeed a police detective.

Come on, be brave. Let’s cheer each other on!

Good luck to you all with new projects, whether NaNo related or not.

Wordsmith’s Collective Thursday – My Project for National Novel Writing Month 2022

October 27, 2022
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I am again plunging into NaNoWriMo this year. I should concentrate on book three of my crime trilogy, The Delphic Murders – Killers Match, but as with all things writing it might be secondary to another ‘bright and shiny project’ – a prequel to my Rython series. I am excited to begin Malgraf’s journey in the novella entiitled Malgraf’s Dawning. So once the 25,000 or so words of that story/novella are completed, I will ‘finish’ NanWriMo with the beginning book three.

Who says writer’s can’t be flexible. Truth be told new ideas are always the shiniest prospect, we are essentially magpies.

I would love to hear about your project for NaNoWriMo this year. And you can always add me as a buddy on the website.   Look up MandyB      

Good luck , happy writing and see you on the other side.           

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