Archive for the ‘Writing’ Category

Last Minute Preparations: Software

Posted October 31, 2011 under Technology, Writing | Tagged: , | 2 Comments

So. NaNoWriMo begins in less than 24 hours – for me, anyway. I am both terrified and excited about it all. And as part of my last-minute preparations I am cleaning making sure I have all my software on my comp installed and set up the way I like it, as I have recently done a fresh install of Ubuntu to upgrade to 11.04.

Anyway, here’s a brief list of all the software things I will be using this coming month, for various reasons.

  • Scrivener: Since it’s now available for Linux this’ll be my first year using Scrivener for NaNo. I like it though.
  • Write or Die: Because sometimes you just need a major push to get those words out.
  • NovProg2: As this is a word counter that stays on my comp, it means I don’t have to run to the NaNo site every time to check how I have been doing, and risk getting distracted by the rest of the internet.
  • Songbird: Because I need music, goshdarnit! This is also why I will have my iPod ready to go at all times.
  • Pidgin: For the few times I will venture online to chat with writer friends and keep in touch with the #nznano IRC channel.
  • The GIMP: For getting distracted making pretty things like book covers and playlist covers.

And, of course, there is always the classic pen and paper – I especially like stuff from Smiggle. I have a long calendar on my wall that I think I shall put a sticker on for each day I meet the target. Because everyone likes stickers.

It’s Nearly Here…

Posted October 29, 2011 under Writing | Tagged: | 1 Comment

So, NaNoWriMo 2011 is very nearly here. And I am kinda-sorta freaking out about it.

I mean, I am excited but… also kinda terrified. It’s a great feeling.

Anyway, now that NaNo Buddies are up, feel free to add me. And here’s the mini-blurb (nothing major, just quick so that something is up there) for the novel I will be writing. I am calling it Bleed Like Me.

Seven times Viola Kane has played a deadly game with Thomas, the vampire who made her. Seven times she has lost, failing to save the lives of seven innocent girls who were just like her when she was alive.

After the last time Viola swore she would never play his game again, that she would never get close to anyone again. But she breaks both promises when she follows Thomas to sunny California to play his game once more and finds herself distracted by Romy, a girl determined to bring down the walls Viola has erected around her heart.

Will letting Romy in help Viola finally defeat the vampire that has controlled her ever since he killed her? Or will it be the biggest mistake in all of Viola’s very long life?