/May 27th, 2014

I'm covered in sand, still in my slightly-damp bathing suit after a day at the beach. My scratched up sunglasses are perched on top of my head and my legs are curled up beneath me on my seat. I've taken a break from Falling Dark for just a few moments, just to let myself write this tiny little idea down.
That tiny little idea turned into over 800 words of the first scene I ever thought of for Empty Alibi. Those 800 words led to Bethany, Elliot, and Harris. Jules and Chapman would come later.
May 27th, 2014, at 11:57 PM, I closed out the document after saving it as "Bethany Wilson and a Rather Gruesome Murder (Early Twentieth Century Mystery Idea Thing)".
I would spend that whole summer thinking of that story. It would be pushed to the back burner for a while, but I'd always come back to it. I drabbled for it over and over again, I tried to write the beginning. I started a Pinterest board.
In October I was trying to pick between that (which I was still just calling Bethany Wilson Story) and Project Orion (which has been put on what looks like a permanent hold - not my genre anymore, not something I really want to write). I was leaning towards Orion, and at the time, I didn't think much about historicals.
As far as I was concerned, Bethany was the exception to my streak of (admittedly, cliched) dystopian story ideas.
I wrote up synopses for both, though, and since I couldn't decide, I let my mom read them.
"Which do you think I should write?" I'd asked her.

She said Bethany.
Why?
It was outside of my comfort zone.
It was different than what I'd usually written.
And so I started pinning more onto my Bethany board. I came up with a title (Empty Alibi). I renamed Thomas Elliot as Elliot Henry, and gave the name Thomas to Bethany's older brother. Jules and Chapman were the product of character lounges with Sam.
Jules was created solely for the purpose of teasing/scaring/annoying Ashford Clarke (actual perfection) (jk) (not really). Chapman was how, in the Ellyn!universe, Bethany ended up bringing down the villain. He was a detective with the NYPD who helped her in the end.
I moved the story from 1913 to 1919, then to 1921. I can't remember why, now. It was probably a combination of Downton Abbey and various 1920s things I'd seen on Pinterest.
And just before NaNo started, I nailed down a year. 1924.
I documented my draft-one adventures all throughout November (here).
I'm spending the rest of the summer with Bethany and co. I've written roughly 136,000 words total for this story. I've spent hours on end brainstorming, developing, writing, thinking. I've made collages and written complete fluff just to make myself happy.
So here's to that hint of an idea I had on May 27th, 2014. And for once I'm going to congratulate myself for procrastinating.
Because if I hadn't been seriously stuck on Falling Dark, Empty Alibi might not have happened.

64,000 Words Later

Story time, guys.
It's the beginning of the month. I'm hopeful and sort-of on target, maybe a bit behind, but hey, no biggie, right? I can catch up, totally. And I'll still be blogging once a week with an update like I said I would.
But wait!
I get sick.
Twice.
Family stuff happens quite a lot.
And I'm steadily getting more and more behind.
At this point I'm not thinking about my blog (sorry, guys), only thinking of catching up and getting ahead on my word count so I don't have the NaNo sight mocking me and saying I'll finish on May 11th at this rate. (The joke's on it, guys. I broke 60k a day and a half early.)
So anyways. This NaNo wasn't quite as carefree as November's; maybe it's because my word count was 10k higher?
I don't know. But even though I completely failed the blogging thing this month, I did some stinking awesome things writing-wise.
I wrote just under 3k as much words as I did last November, and in less time.
I accidentally made the book bigger (like, 15-20k bigger .-.).
I seriously developed some of my minor characters.
Foreshadowing, guys. I can totally see the advantages of actually knowing what's happening and when in your story now. Foreshadowing rocks.
Dramaaaaaaaa.

However, I've still got a bit left to write. Well. I say a bit. 20k is my lowest estimate, but I'm scared it's going to end up closer to 30k. Ow.
Oh, did I mention? I've got to have this done by the 5th. Hahahhaahahahahaha *cries*
That's roughly 4-6,000 words a day for the next 5 days.
That's going to hurt.
I don't even want to think about that.
But I've got the weekend to get ahead, I suppose.

So. 64,000 words later, here I am. I have an almost finished second draft and a renewed love for this story that I'm sticking with all summer long. I'm quite proud of myself.

I'll see you all after typing The End for the second time.



(Also look, I made a shiny MBTI type chart for my characters.)

Who are you? I'm the same as Samantha.

Camp NaNo Update #1

 
    Today marks the start of week 2. I am at 12,571 words as I type this post. And I am exhausted.
     Like.
     I remember being tired in November, but not like this. I don't know. Maybe it was like this and I blocked it from my memory.
     Tired or not, however, I am having so much fun with this draft. There are sooo many elements about this that I love. I've been doing a lot of research in the months since December, as well as plotting things and answering questions that should've been answered already. .-.
     I've been behind this week but I have finally caught up. Ohmygosh, I'm caught up. I've been about a thousand words behind my goal for each day, but last night I resolved I would not go to bed until I reached 12,000. AND I DID! :D
     Alright. I'm done rambling for now. :3

Today's word count: 2,009 (counting my words from 2:30 AM this morning :P. I will be writing more today. :33)

Total word count: 12,571

Favorite line(s) written: You had been in this city for two days, and you still didn’t know where you were. You thought of the address she sent you, together with her last letter and your ticket.

     “Can I help you?”

     The sound of the man’s voice startled you; you were as an animal in a menagerie, a sideshow in a circus act. And he was the child poking at you between the bars and taunting you. Daring you to react, to lash out. Knowing you wouldn’t. Couldn’t.

     “Yes,” you told him. “Please.”

     “What’s your name?” The stranger held out his hand, tucking a thick folder under his other arm.

     You swallowed, shook his proffered hand, and lied to his face. 

     Longish-excerpt because I forgot to do any updates this past week. :P I'll do better this week; I promise. *waves goodbye*

DOOM 2015 Log: Week 1, Day 3

     You guys remember how, back in November, I was pretty good about blogging everyday and updating you on my NaNo progress? Those were the days. :P
      Also, back in November, I was writing. A lot. I'm pretty sure I was averaging 2k+ a day up until the very end - where I went from 1400 if I was lucky to about 4,000 on December 3rd (that WONDERFUL day when I finished the first draft of Empty Alibi!)
      Yeaaaah, guys. My writing and blogging have both been kind of pathetic since then. But yesterday, I stumbled across a lovely thing called...DOOM.*
       It's not as intimidating as it sounds. xD
       DOOM, from what I understand, is basically NaNoWriMo without as much of the stress and insanity and whole 50k-in-a-month thing. No, it's 50k in two months. I can definitely do that. Another thing about is is that it doesn't have to be a new story you're working on - which means Empty Alibi draft 2 is going down in the next two months.
       I've been trying to edit this monster of a novel for two months, guys. Three if you count the plotting and character development I did immediately post-NaNo. But I keep getting stuck. And I'm hoping that this is something that will help me get going.
       I love this story. I love it with all its flaws, all its messy sentences, all its confusing plot twists and inconsistent characters. Bethany and co. have been on my mind since last April, and when I finally began to try and understand their story back in October, they promptly took up residence in my heart. Stubborn bunch that they are, they won't be leaving soon. :P
      And I'm quite alright with that. I mean. Look at them!

They're smiling because they don't know what's coming in the last quarter of the book. ;)

     So I'll probably be doing a weekly update this time 'round. See you guys next Tuesday!


*DOOM started three days ago. Oops. But I didn't find out about it till yesterday? xD

It Has Begun (AKA I Have No Idea How To Edit This Mess)

BIG NEWS.

GUYS.

THE EDITS. THEY HAVE BEGUN.

      To celebrate, I used what few pictures I have of Bethany looking happy! (Okay, okay. That was a bit uncalled for.) If you watch Downton Abbey, you're recognize her as Lady Rose. I swear, the two of them are like, identical fictional twins. *nodnod*

      I'm not really sure what I'm doing, but I'm having fun! I've rewritten parts of chapter 1--which is now considerably longer--and an opening I'm absolutely in love with. 

I won't say what's important about number 213. :P

    Right now I'm working through a read-through of my first draft (and trying not to cringe every few seconds), along with reading Go Teen Writers: The Book and doing some of the worksheets in it! It's super helpful, as is their blog. I mean, it's not like I've been stalking the editing tag on there or anything. *whistles innocently* Nope, don't know what you're talking about. :ninjaface:

     Also: research. And lots of it. Because I decided to write Empty Alibi about a week before November 1st and didn't have nearly enough time to research, I'm getting around to some of the things I should have looked up before. Namely...

• NYC Geography. In general (I mean, it might be good to know where, exactly, Brooklyn and Manhattan lie in relation to Long Island) and also, specifics. For example, I spent this afternoon on Wikipedia reading general histories of different neighborhoods in NYC that were upperclass in the '20s. I also found a closer alternative to Long Island: Port Washington. It's gorgeous. You should look it up. 
• Popular films, music, books, etc in 1923/early 1924. In the first few pages of Draft 2, I got to reference Yes! We Have No Bananas (an insanely popular song of the early 20s) and Ain't We Got Fun? (another song). Also, a minor character may or may not have fangirled over Douglas Fairbanks. :P

      I also constructed a broad outline using my first draft as reference. There's a lot of things that are changing, and a lot of key scenes are getting booted out (as much as it hurts me to do so). BUT, there are some really fun elements I'm looking forward to putting in! Like, a completely new character is getting...well...poisoned. But don't worry! There's no death as a result of this. Maybe. Hopefully. I'm not sure. .-.

    ALSO. I'M MAKING CHARACTER COLLAGES AGAIN. I HADN'T REALIZED HOW MUCH I MISSED THIS. 

Ouch. 

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww<3

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

     Alright. I'm out. :P

2015: A Year of Exploration (AKA A Very Late New Year's Post)

     I wanted to do a New Year's Post on New Year's Eve, but on the 31st, I was burrowed under blankets and running a fever. So not much happened. And then on the 1st, I went and saw Into The Woods with my cousin, a friend, and their parents. And then a bunch of stuff happened and this morning I remembered: hey, I wanted to do something for 2015 before it gets too late!
So here. Have a (sort of maybe super late) New Year's post!

     Last Sunday, my Sunday School teacher asked us all a question: what is your word for 2014? I thought this was kind of funny, since I’d come across this same thing the day before and thought of my word.

     In 2015, my word is Explore. I want to explore a lot of things, but mostly I want to explore in my writing, my reading, my art, and in God. I want to push myself with my writing—blogging included. I want to read more of what I love and more of what I haven’t tried before. I want to explore new styles and techniques with my art (photography, classic art, and piano). And, lastly, I want to grow in my relationship with God and explore different parts and questions about God and Christianity.

We may be crazy but we have more fun. >:D

     2014 was wonderful. I made one of the best friends I have and really got to know another. I spent time with my family (well, less in November) and I got to do some pretty great things with my cousins. I wrote a novel. I learned so much on piano and am finally able to sit down and play without having to do a lot of practice before hand. I read so much. I actually made some okay art. I took a photography class and I’ve got a lot
of pictures on my computer because of it.

     2014 was a big year for me. It saw my first workshop, the finishing of my first novel, two piano recitals, and an action-packed summer. I changed in a lot of ways in 2014, and I stayed the same in others. Looking back at the past year feels really weird—wait, it’s 2015? But it was just 2010! And then it was just 2007! It can’t be 2015! I can’t be halfway through my freshman year of highschool! Or have my learner’s permit! No way.

And yet, I am. So here’s to another year of starry-eyed adventures and exploring new worlds.

NaNoWriMo Log: Day 28, Week 4

GUYS.
GUYS.
G U Y S.
I DID IT.
I STINKING BEAT NANO I HAVE OVER 50K WORDS HOLY WHAT.


okay so I beat it last night, but whatever.
Butttttt, I'm still writing, because I've got at least 15 thousand words more of story and plot to write. Which is kind of crap. D:  But hey, I did it! I wrote 50,000 words in a month! :D
This will probably be my last log until I do a post-Nano update on Monday. :P But, it's gonna be funnnnnnnnn when I do post again. Because Tangled gifs.
Total word count: 51,441
Today's word count: 1,434
Favorite line(s) written: Elliot shifts, and I watch him. “I don’t...” he trails off, shoving his hands in his pockets and looking immensely confused. “I’m not sure how to say this.”

Chapman leans forward. “Do your best, then.” He coughs. “I don’t know how to say the majority of what comes out of my mouth.”

“Obviously,” Jules mutters under her breath, and Chapman rolls his eyes, shoving her shoulder.

There’s a few moments of charged silence, where Jules and Chapman act like the children that they are and I stare at Elliot and Elliot stares at the ground.

“He doesn’t think it’s Oliver James,” I say, and when he looks up, I meet his gaze, and he shifts. 

NaNoWriMo Log: Day 26, Week 4 (plus a tiny apology)

....I'm really sorry.
Super, super sorry.
I didn't mean to disappear, I promisseeeee.
I didn't ask for this or plan it in advancceeeeeeeee
I was merely blown here by the winds of procrastination and sleep deprivationnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

Anyways. //end wicked reference.
But hey, I'm two thousand words away from WINNING NANO!
THIS IS BIG NEWS GUYS!
AGGGGGH!

Me doing NaNo.
Also I'm super tired so this'll mostly be gifs. :3

But yeaaaaah, I'm happy. But I'm also worried, because this story is not going to wrap itself in 2k. More like, 15k at the least. D:
Anyways. Onto today's thingy! :D
Total word count: 48,105
Today's word count: 2,177
Favorite line(s) written: My gaze switches between the photo and the three of them, and I study it from all angles, trying to find how it would have worked.

And it doesn’t. There’s no way he could have taken this photo, not that I can see.

I angle it up, eyeing the crisp photo, and then I look down at them. They’re in nearly the same position.

I glance between the photo and the scene below.

“No,” I breathe, looking back down at Jules. “No freaking way.”

NaNoWriMo Log: Day 22, Week 4

Ohmygosh. It's the last week of NaNo. How/when did this happen?? It was just November first?? o_O
Anyways. *le cough* I thought I should let you knowwwww...I've got a special post-y thing planned for December 1st. And it's going to be awesome. Also, it involves multiple Tangled gifs and explains NaNoWriMo! :D
BUT. I have mucho more writing to do today, so. I'm going to do my log and then fly off to write some more. :D
Total word count: 41,445
Today's word count: 1952 (but as I said, I'm going to do a lotttttt more.)
Favorite line(s) written: He takes a long breath, looking up at me. “Don’t start this, Bethany.” His voice shudders. “I know you mean well, but I’ve tried it all. I’ve looked into every possibility, every loophole.”

He pauses, and when he speaks again, his eyes are trained on me—cold, broken, angry. “The world gave up on my sister a long time ago,” he says, clenching his jaw. “No one even pretends to still look into her case. And then there’s me, living every day as if I’m not going mad, knowing that somewhere Penny’s killer is walking free.”

“Harris—”

He stands. “Don’t,” he says, his voice cracking. “I’ve been doing this a lot longer than you have, Bethany. And if I couldn’t find an answer...”

He eyes me, shakes his head, and then walks out of the room, coat slung over his shoulder and hat on his head, and the photo clenched in his hand.

NaNoWriMo Log: Day 20, Week 3

I dreamed a dream in time gone byyyyy

Actually what I look like right now.

when hope was high

and so was my word countttttt

Okay, um, I kind of had to do that. Also: 

I think I'll try defying sanity!

And you can't make me sleeeeep!

I'm done this time, I promise. xD This is what happens when I have little to no sleep every night and my brain is forced to be creative multiple times a day. I GET A LITTLE CRAZY. 

But really though. I'm going to go into hibernation or something in December to catch up on all my sleep. *yawns* Anywho. A few things about NaNo this next weekend:

• I would really, really like to hit 45k before Monday. Because reasonssss. 
• I'm taking Thanksgiving off, so I need to get ahead. D:

Welp. Now that that's done with. 

Total word count: 35,699

Today's word count: 1617 (although I'd liked to squeeze a few hundred more in before I go to bed.)

Favorite line(s) written: I look up. “Aren’t you cold?” I ask, eyeing Chapman—and his rolled-up sleeves. He quirks an eyebrow.

“Says you,” he laughs, and a small sort of smile plays across his face. I rub my hands up and down my arms, shivering slightly.
“I think much better when it’s cold,” I say, my voice almost as shaky as the rest of me. “It feeds my creative genius.”

“Genius? You?” Chapman makes a psshing noise, rocking back on his heels. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Let it be known that I take no issue in hitting people,” I laugh, my voice shivering with me. “I’d watch your back.” 

NaNoWriMo Log: Day 18, Week 3

Oooooohmygosh. How's it already the 18th? Like, it was just November 1st. I swear. o_O
Anywho. On to NaNo related things.

Some fun stuff that happened today: 

• I figured out my villain's actual motivation (ya know. After what, six months of this story idea? :P)
• I wrote sass, fluff, pain, and friendship and it was wonderful.

And because I can't decide, you get two snippets today. Wootwoot! :D 

Total word count: 31,413

Today's word count: 1,266 (not my best. :P But I'm going to do a lot tomorrow, so I feel significantly better about this. xD) 

Favorite line(s):  “He’s...” I trail off, my nose crinkling. Oliver James is one of those people who, even if he were to be discussing saving war orphans, could give me a strong urge to slap him, multiple times. “No, Jules. He is. And I don’t know how all of this fits together.”

Also: 

A sort of smile plays across his face and he settles back in his seat. “Well, I thought so.”

I roll my eyes, and Jules coughs, so I look over at her. One eyebrow is quirked.

“If the two of you are done flirting,” she says, and I scowl.
“Jules. Shut up.”

NO JULES. Don't shut up.

KEEP DOING THE THING BECAUSE CUTENESS. 

Okay. I'm going to bed now. *slightly manic grin* 

NaNoWriMo 2014 Log: Day 17, Week 3

So I kind of forgot to do a post yesterday. D: I didn't get much done, really, though, so...yeah.
D:
I'm sorryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy.
But here, have one for today plus maybe my favorite Elliot and Bethany thing I've written in the history of ever.
 Total word count: 30,147
Today's word count: 2,337
Favorite line(s) written: I turn to face him, the hem of my skirt swishing as I do. “Harris has a sister. And somehow, she’s connected to Hayley, Miss Lawson, and Russell.”

His eyebrows raise and he steps towards me, lowering his voice. “Penny, right?”

It’s my turn to be surprised. “How do you know that?” My voice is laced with curiosity and shock, and he smiles, a confident, teasing thing.

“When one is the grandson of Mason Elijah Moore,” he begins, his voice taking on a confident lilt, “one happens to gather useful information about a variety of people.”

NaNoWriMo Log: Day 15, week 2

Hehe.
Gosh, it's been a while since I've done a NaNo log. :3 But I'm back, and as far as I know there are no more vacations in November! So...back to regular posting. :P
I got about 7k written this past week, and as of today I'm a couple thousand words ahead. Which is beautiful. :D
Total word count: 27,897
Today's word count: 1,812 (but I am planning on getting more in before I go to bed tonight. *cracks knuckles*)
Favorite line(s) written: “Bethany,” he starts, his voice strained. “Please tell me you understand what this means.”

Why do people keep asking me that? Do they assume that I don’t understand what it means?
That there is a psychopathic killer stalking my every move?

That I’m in danger with every breath I take?
How is that hard to understand?

“I understand perfectly well,” I say, my voice taking on a hard edge.

He sighs. “Don’t get defensive,” he mutters, rubbing his temples. “I want you to understand,” he begins, looking up at me, “What is going to happen after this.”

He pauses, as if giving me time to take this in.

“There is a serial murderer watching your every move,” he says carefully. “Which means that where you go, he goes, or at least one of his tools. You’re in danger every waking moment of your life until we apprehend him.”

“Yes,” I say, looking up him. “This isn’t new information.”

NaNoWriMo Log: Day 9, Week 2

Guys.

I found.

The best.

Gifs.

To describe.

NaNo.

Like. Wow. Wowwwwwwwwwwww. Such accuracy. 

Anywho.

While I'm thinking about it: Tomorrow, I won't be posting a log, because it's my birthday! :P And I might just do a massive post Saturday evening, because this week I'm probably not going to have much time. So. 

On to today's log, I suppose. :P 

Total word count: 19,821

Today's word count: 2354

Favorite line(s) written:  I swallow hard and force myself to take in the room without thinking of letters or Judah Anderson.

I shiver, wrapping my coat tighter around me. Why is it so cold in here?

For one ridiculous moment, I let myself remember the ghost stories Thomas tried to terrify me with when we were younger. Elliot had always made him leave me alone, and we made up our own stories. Usually ones where a nasty, simpering something named Thomas was defeated by heroes Elliot and Bethany.

But those stories had scared me nonetheless. And I got to a point years ago where I only rolled my 

eyes when he told them late at night, but I think right now, that part of me has ran away.

And for one moment, I let myself wonder if Miss Lawson is haunting this room.

NaNoWriMo Log: Day 8, Week 2

Ahahaha. Remember when I actually wrote things for these instead of rambling and then doing my log? Haha, yeah. 

actually me right now

Those were fun days.

You know. Back when I wasn't half asleep trying to write. .-.

Total word count: 17,786 

Today's word count: 2095 (but I'm going to try and make myself break 18k tonight, so it might end up as a few more.)

Favorite line(s) written: “Tell them,” he says, his voice low. “We both know the truth.”

And I know, now, that this has to be him. It doesn’t make sense but it has to because until now I hadn’t remembered the scar, but it’s the only thing we really had to distinguish him. And Stanton’s face was scarred in a different way, marked by grief.

I want to launch myself at him, hurt him. For killing Hayley and for killing Miss Lawson, and for showing no regret.

He watches me, and I watch him. My head spins. 

Eurgghhhhhrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgghgggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

I'm so tired I just.

NaNoWriMo Log: Day 7, Week 1

So, it's been a week since I started this, and that's kind of crazy. But also cool. Because I've written almost 17000 words in a week. :D
Also, in addition to being me right now, that gif is on my storyboard! :D
Total word count: 16,429
Today's word count: 3370
Favorite line(s) written: I can’t help it, I raise my voice. “What’s gotten into me? I don’t know, let’s think about the past month. Our butler, murdered! My teacher, murdered, and I chased down her killer! What’s gotten into me is I want to help with this but I don’t know how! And don’t tell me I’m too young or I don’t know enough about this, because I’ve watched you do this for as long as I can remember and if anyone should be involved in this, it’s me!”

I’m gasping for breath by the end of it, by I don’t regret it. All the emotions and words I’ve bottled up for the past month had to come out sometime, I suppose.

Everyone watches me, and I don’t like it, but I suppose I asked for it. A moment later, Chapman whistles.
“That was something,” he says. “Mind if I quote that?”

NaNoWriMo Log: Day 6, Week 1

LOOK AT HIM.

Today has maybe been one of my favorite writing days so far. I introduced one my favorite characters, Noah Chapman. This guy. He's so full of snark and I love his dialogue.
He's a reporter for a struggling newspaper who agrees to help Bethany by looking into a possible suspect (even though she hasn't exactly told Harris about this yet).
I really like this guy, in case you couldn't tell. Most of their dialogue today was them trying to out-sass each other, and I'm looking forward to throwing some of my other characters in with them as well. >:D

Total word count: 13,205
Today's word count: 2067
Favorite line(s) written: When the door clicks shut, he laughs.

“You’ve got them going pretty good, kid.”

Oh, God, he did catch the stutter. The thought crosses my mind that maybe he’s involved in all of this and he knows about the letter, but I bat it away. He doesn’t seem like that.

But Hayley didn’t seem like a killer, either. 

NaNoWriMo Log: Day 5, Week 1

Hello people. :) I wrote a lot today, which is amazing. :D Also, I got really cool books from the library.
Total word count: 11, 421
Today's word count: 2901
Favorite line(s) written: My dreams are little more than nightmares. I’m plagued by the sight of Miss Lawson’s body and the killer diving through the window, and a car hitting a small girl’s body.

Over and over and over again.

I wake up trembling and make myself go back to sleep, and I’m torturing myself.

I toss and turn through the night, never really getting any sleep, and when one of the teachers comes in at seven o’clock, I’m already dressed.

She watches me for a moment and then crosses the room, wrapping an arm around my shoulder. “I’m so sorry,” she murmurs, squeezing me.

What do I say to that? Thank you?

I nod instead, and she stands. When she walks out, Jules get up and gets dressed. I wait while she does her hair in the mirror, wordless.

“Bethany...” she begins, but I stop her.

“I’m fine,” I say, stepping towards the door. I look back at her, and she’s watching me, sadness and concern swirling across her face. “I’m fine,” I say again, and my voice cracks, but I make myself step out into the hall.

NaNoWriMo Log: Day Four, Week 1

Today went a lot better than yesterday, which is awesome. I really liked the scenes I wrote today, and I actually got to rewrite the scene that came from a sentence that inspired the entire novel's idea, which was fun.
So.

Total word count: 8515
Today's word count: 2555
Favorite line(s) written: “Are you asking me for help?” he asks.

“Um, sort of?” I look behind me, mostly to see if Bea is there. “I...I think Bea’s hiding something. And I think it might be important.”

“So you need my help with an unofficial interrogation?” A slight smile plays across his face.

I stifle a laugh. “That sounds questionable,” I say, and behind him, Mason gestures for him to follow him out the door. I wave as Elliot walks away.

“I’ll be back for the questionable interrogation tomorrow morning,” he whispers as he walks past me.

Also, this is what happens when NaNo people videochat at night: 

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Mariesa.

Sam

And me!

So....yeah. That's it, I suppose. I'm super tired so yeah bye I guess.

NaNoWriMo Log: Day 3, Week 1

I'm going to be completely honest.
Day 3 hurt.
I've got a cold (thanks to my brother) and it's allergy season, so combined my nose is pretty much useless. And I've had a serious case of I-don't-know-what-to-write today.
But obviously I can't not write. A couple hours ago Mariesa, Sam and I videochatted and attempted to word war while singing Wicked.
Surprisingly, I got a lot done (although that's probably thanks to Write Or Die).

So....
Total word count: 6141
Total word count: 2008
Favorite line(s) written so far: Harris ended up staying for dinner. So did Oliver James.

And apparently, murder doesn’t make for good dinner conversation. 

I'm out. To sleep, or maybe post in a character lounge because feels. See you all tomorrow, I guess. *sleepy wave*