Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!

I'm eagerly awaiting midnight and the chance to start my NaNoWriMo novel for 2009. I've printed out a calendar for November, pulled out my thumb drive and put all my notes, etc onto it so I can take it with me, and I'm about to start getting my notes out for my opening scene, which takes place at a masked ball on Halloween.

I so can't wait until midnight. I debated all day whether or not to stay up late and get a good start, or use the extra hour for sleep. Stay up late won when I finally took a nap about 3:00 this afternoon.

Good luck out there to all the people participating in NaNoWriMo this year and lets make this one the best yet!

Toni Frissell: Weeki Wachee spring, Florida, 1947

Toni Frissell: Weeki Wachee spring, Florida, 1947, originally uploaded by trialsanderrors.

My story for NaNoWriMo doesn't take place in 1947, nor is it set in Florida, but I found this photograph on Flickr in the Creative Commons and it was perfect for the cover.

The photograph is in the public domain and I have saved a copy as inspiration. I can't wait to start writing on Sunday. It can't come soon enough.

NaNoWriMo - almost here!

One week from today and I will finally be able to unleash the creativity that has been building in my head about my NaNo story. The characters are at the gate, ready to go.

I'm currently working on getting my outline in order, mostly a scene of events I can use to write by. I will develop a more detailed outline/time line as I write, since I made some notes this afternoon before my nap about two possible spin off story involving the same set of characters.

My character in this one, Contessa, appeared earlier this year while I was writing about a teen age time traveler named Mac. So I became kinda curious about her and starting thinking more about her. I finally decided to write something that would involve her and her backstory, which would later show up in Mac stories.

While thinking about her backstory, I came across the true story of Dorothy Arnold, who disappeared in 1910 from New York City and was ever seen again. So the Contessa is kinda sorta based on this real life incident, but she doesn't look like this real person. I just liked the idea of someone disappearing so I've added that information to her story.

So I've been researching NYC in 1910, where places were, what life was like back then, and more specifically weather conditions on specific days, locations of post offices, cost of mailing postcards, fashions of upscale people and what public transportation was available at the time. I don't need much info right now. All I'm worried about during November is getting the story down on paper. Previous stories I've written did not have descriptions of clothing (unless needed for a particular scene) - I would worry about adding that kind of detail in during the editing process.

I have yet to edit the previous attempts at NaNoWriMo. All I cared about was getting the word count down on paper. But I believe I will take a break during December, since that will be a busy time at my workplace, and start working on an edit in January 2010.

Music for NaNoWriMo 2009

So far only seven songs have been chosen for my playlist this year. I debated using previously purchased songs from iTunes, but I finally decided today to go with all new songs. Most of these are ones I hear on Sirius XM radio while I'm driving back and forth to work. Two hours (or longer) of "me" time to think about ideas and plot murders (of fictional characters, I promise!) - one reason I use up so many index cards - these notes and the bad drivers' license plate numbers.

So far my playlist includes:

1. My Heart Belongs to Me - Barbra Streisand

2. Knock You Down - Keri Hilson

3. Tell Your Story Walking - Sarah Mcleod

4. Me - Tamia (Soul Seekerz Remix)

5. Battlefield - Jordan Sparks

6. Never Say Never - The Fray

7. One Hand, One Heart - from the Broadway version of West Side Story

I'm sure I'll have more. Right now I've listened to them several times. But now no more until November 1st. I'm one of those people who listen to a song over and over and over again because the music and/or lyrics allows me to daydream about what I want to write. I envision my idea, like a movie, then write what I see. That's one reason I want new songs. Most songs, when I hear them, remind me of an idea I had or worked on. So I need new ones. At least that's what I tell myself. LOL

I'd like to get about 20 songs so I can time myself writing while listening to them.

Three weeks and counting....

Three weeks from today will be the start of 2009's NaNoWriMo. I've been trying to distance myself from what I want to write because my brain has begun to throw more appealing ideas in my way and I'm wavering in what I plan to write.

I hope to write about a time traveler name Contessa. This is more of a title than a name. Her first name finally came to me, along with that of her time keeper and her best friend. So I at least have names to work with now.

If this one doesn't work out, I can always go back to murder and mayhem for my mystery novels. But this one is in my head and won't leave me alone, except when my brain is telling me some other good ideas to write about. I just write them down and tell them later. This year is for the Contessa.

handprint mac

handprint mac, originally uploaded by mysterywriter.

Just wait until my coworkers are out of the office the next time! I went to a Halloween store today and found window/mirror clings of bloody handprints and blood splatter! I bought two sheets! I can't wait to use them. MUHAHAHAHA

They Never Came Back - NaNoWriMo

IMG_6195, originally uploaded by mysterywriter.

Arrived today from Amazon. The woman is my story (I think) will be based on one in this book, Dorothy Arnold, who disappeared from NYC in 1910 and was never seen again. I can't wait to read it tonight.

I'm using Arnold's story as the basis for my NaNoWriMo story this year. I was on Wikipedia the other night looking for information on missing persons. I needed something to base a more detailed search on. As I have never been missing myself, I needed some help.

Imaginary People

I was chatting online with a friend tonight about writing and the upcoming NaNoWriMo and told her about an image I had about a character - running from some people during the turn of the 20th century in NYC. She had the audacity to call me weird! LOL

I told her I was a writer - I'm supposed to see and talk to imaginary friends. Then she added all those imaginary friends she had as a kid are coming in handy when she writes. I loved it!

The image I had this evening driving home was of a woman running from someone. He was chasing her because she had bought something. Something she wasn't supposed to have. Right now that item is a newspaper. What's in the newspaper? Something wrapped in the sheets or something printed in that particular issue?

Picture is The Plaza from my trip last December to NYC.

A decapitated statue guards this grave

guard, originally uploaded by wordnrrrd.

Here is another of my favorites from Flickr. I had plans to personally find this statue and take my own photographs, but I ran out of time (darn you, Biltmore Estate - LOL) the last time I was in Asheville this past summer.

This is another example of using a photograph to inspire a character or a story idea.

I knew something would have to go....

...I dropped my programming class yesterday. I decided I didn't have enough time to commit to the class and I'm planning to write in NaNoWriMo again this year, so I don't need something else in the way. Besides, I think this is a class I will need to attend in person, not take online.

Speaking of writing, I was driving to work this morning, taking the route I usually take home (couple miles longer, few more minutes) and had an idea smack me up side the head for my story about an accident investigator. I've been looking for a spot in Maine that has twisty, curvy roads where I could put an accident scene, and have the road and the conditions have an impact on the accident itself. I've been checking online topographical maps looking for the perfect spot and not finding anything. But as I was driving, it suddenly dawned on me that I could create an accident scene along a stretch of road like this - using conflicting skid marks, etc to confuse the investigators. So that's my plan for the weekend - construct an accident scene. And work on my homework for my other class.

For those of you who like Quincy, M.E., Netflix now has all 8 seasons to watch online (or through Tivo, like I do). I'm finally able to watch the season 4 episode "A Night to Raise the Dead." I think this one is my favorite!

Ghost outside the Window

Ghost outside the Window, originally uploaded by suphiro.

One of the many interesting photographs I've found on Flickr. I often look here for inspiration for ideas and stories.

Research for NaNoWriMo

Since I work in higher education, I've decided to create a fictional college for my NaNoWriMo story this November. It will be a small liberal arts college, probably private. I've been doing a little research tonight on number of students, where the towns are located, etc. One college I looked at was Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Va. I've stayed at the Stonewall Jackson Hotel near the American Shakespeare Center's Blackfriars Theater. If you like Shakespeare, this is the place to come. I loved it. Anyway, the college is near the hotel and theater, which are next door to each other. I could see one the buildings of the campus from my window during my trip.

I'm going to use my hometown as the layout for my community and the location of the college. I already have a county map and a topographical map of the town. There is a high school which has about 1000 students, around the number of students in the schools I had on my list. The other schools I looked at were Sweet Briar College and Randolph Macon College. My college will be like these only in scale and how they are laid out geographically next to their respective towns. I'll create the background and curriculum later, but now I just want to get a feel for the number of students and how the geographical information may play a role in my novel.

As for the name of the college, I think I'll use a person's name, a fictitious name, as someone who either donated money to the school, went to school there, or had some other relationship with the school. At Sweet Briar College, the school was created in memory of the daughter of founder. I liked that idea, and may use a similar idea for mine. I have a first name chosen, but I need a last name that sounds important and wealthy.

Now on to the characters.

Happy Birthday to my DAD

My dad turns 76 today. He's been retired from teaching for 20 years and doesn't look a day older! Sorta.

My dad has taught me a lot. Like how to drive a stick shift, shoot a gun (rifle, shotgun AND pistol), smack a squirrel up against a tree (that's another story) and a little bit about chemistry, calculus and computer programming. I know enough to be dangerous, remember.

So thank you, Daddy, for your love, encouragement, wisdom and a love of books.

I want to be just like you when I grow up.

2 months and counting until NaNoWriMo

Two months until the start of NaNoWriMo.

I've decided to use my hometown as the layout for the town for my story. I'll change a few things around, but the town is the right size for what I need.

So now all I need is some characters, a crime (murder, most likely - I like those) and a few suspects. Throw in some humor, a little bit of romance, and hopefully I'll reach 50K by the end of the month.

NaNoWriMo - Are you ready?

NaNoWriMo, originally uploaded by mysterywriter.

I know November is still two months away, but I'm getting prepared. I bought my third copy of No Plot? No Problem! along with the novel writing kit. I like to play with "extras" like this - I'm a geek that way.

I first found out about NaNoWriMo in 2007. My friend L and I were attending class in Knoxville, TN in the spring and we were hitting all the local bookstores while in town for the weekend. Our class was online, but actually met 4 times during the semester. I know it was a Borders where I bought my first copy of Chris Baty's life-changing book.

In May 2007 L and I had our own NaNoWriMo - We challenged each other to write 50K words that month. We also had a side bet - whoever had the least amount of words had the buy the other one dinner. I "won" and had to buy dinner. I tried that November to complete another novel, but I was only able to make it to 11K.
In November 2008, I was able to official "win" NaNoWriMo.

I'm looking forward to this year's writing experiences!

Scooby - R.I.P August 19, 2009

Scooby, originally uploaded by mysterywriter.

The ultimate work space

I just came across this article from Writers and Artists (UK) about the ultimate work space. Exactly what I need.

The photograph is of a set of blueprints I bought from Southern Living (no longer available) several years ago. It's a garage with an apartment overhead. I had planned to build this on my parents farm (still working on it) and move into it. But I think now I'll change the plans and turn it into a writing area. I can write upstairs and use the downstairs for my library to house all my research materials.

All I need is a couch for naps, a small dorm fridge for cold drinks and a microwave for the popcorn and I'm good to go.

Blue books

Yes, those dreaded exam books from your college days. I recently picked up a few while I was in Knoxville at the UTK bookstore on campus. Those were green, but I have many of the blue ones as well.

Why do I buy them? For notes and outlining. If I'm researching a particular topic, I'll write the topic on the cover, along with the date, then makes notes inside of information I might need. I will also make detailed notes inside for future plot ideas. My most recent one is dated August 7th and is titled "bank robberies" where I've listed thoughts and ideas and possible story arcs. Their thin, wide ruled (even though I prefer college ruled paper) and I love them.

If you live near a college or university, go buy some now. If you don't, visit one on your next vacation or business trip. All if not most bookstores have maps to their location and usually have visitor parking nearby. If you can't find a way to get to one, check out their online presence or call and see if they would be willing to mail you some.

The new desk...

....doesn't really look that big, but I think it will be perfect for what I need. I do most of my writing on the Macbook so I plan to use the iMac when I want to actually sit down at a desk and write.

Until I have one entire room dedicated to my writing, with custom cabinetry, this desk will be home for the iMac. Home for the TARDIS as well.

T.A.R.D.I.S.

T.A.R.D.I.S., originally uploaded by mysterywriter.

They say patience is a virtue. Not sure whether or not I believe that, but my patience was finally rewarded today with the arrival of my very own TARDIS.

I ordered this thing on March 31 from the BBC America shop online and I was afraid I was never going to receive it. The delivery date kept being pushed back, and back, and back - you get the picture - but I kept the order, hoping that one day....

This TARDIS is a USB hub. I'll eventually hook it up to my iMac, but I just had to take a photo of it and share.