NaNo is officially over for me!
I have finished writing 50,000 words as of five minutes ago. Now sleep...and after finals and all that crazyness I will edit the book until I'm happy with it! Also I will type up the first book to the series that I've got going now. I had no intention for this to be a trilogy, and it is now go figure. At least I have a book idea for next years NaNo!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Things I've learned from riding the bus
1. Bring a sweater, no matter how hot it is
2.Don't write anything you don't want read over your shoulder
3.Don't trust a crack addict to click the button to cross the street
4.Bring music and look aloof, less likely to be bothered
5.Watch your head those shelves hurt when they say hi
6.Watch your step, you look ridiculous when you miss the step
7.Know the bus schedule
8.Keep a map of the routes
9.If there is a dad with his little boy don't think about "The Road" it'll only depress you
10.If you get car sick easy don't read
11.If you like people watching wear dark sunglasses, people don't like being stared at
12.Don't deal drugs on the bus (actually happened on my school bus once)
13.Don't fall asleep, unless you've got the end of the line stop
2.Don't write anything you don't want read over your shoulder
3.Don't trust a crack addict to click the button to cross the street
4.Bring music and look aloof, less likely to be bothered
5.Watch your head those shelves hurt when they say hi
6.Watch your step, you look ridiculous when you miss the step
7.Know the bus schedule
8.Keep a map of the routes
9.If there is a dad with his little boy don't think about "The Road" it'll only depress you
10.If you get car sick easy don't read
11.If you like people watching wear dark sunglasses, people don't like being stared at
12.Don't deal drugs on the bus (actually happened on my school bus once)
13.Don't fall asleep, unless you've got the end of the line stop
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Things that make me smile
See previous post for story as to why this came about.
1. The love of my life
2. People actually giving a damn
3. Babies sleeping
4. Bad puns
5. Stepping on crunchy leaves and the central California equivalent of a snowball fight (throwing handfuls of leaves at friends)
6. Hot chocolate on a cold day
7. A good book under a warm blanket (or under a fan if summer)
1. The love of my life
2. People actually giving a damn
3. Babies sleeping
4. Bad puns
5. Stepping on crunchy leaves and the central California equivalent of a snowball fight (throwing handfuls of leaves at friends)
6. Hot chocolate on a cold day
7. A good book under a warm blanket (or under a fan if summer)
Things That Annoy Me
Today I was in class and I started thinking of things that annoy me. I came up with seven things. On the back side of that paper I wrote down seven things that make me smile. Sadly it took me longer to come up with the things that make me smile. As this list grows I will probably add more here.
1. Stupid people (not the handicapped but people who lack common sense)
2. "Green" Friday AKA Black Friday (See #1) Some stores these days have taken to calling what is traditionally known as Black Friday "Green" Friday. Their excuse it sounds nicer, and it's the color of money. These people must not a) know the origins of black Friday or/and b) are #1 or/and c) have never worked retail. If you are "a" let me tell you the origins of "Black Friday". "The term "Black Friday" originated in Philadelphia in reference to the heavy traffic on that day More recently, merchants and the media have used it instead to refer to the beginning of the period in which retailers go from being in the red (i.e., posting a loss on the books) to being in the black (i.e., turning a profit).(Wikipedia:Black Friday)" So I cheated with that but I've known that sentence (minus the bit about the traffic) since I was 5 when I asked my mom what Black Friday meant.
3. The people who with EVERY single picture say "It's photoshoped" (see #1) I DON'T care if it is or not! It looks cool. The only time it matters is if the person says it's not. Then they might be telling the truth if they did it themselves, you never know. Not the point. Point is, I DON'T care if you think it's photoshoped or not, get over it and stop fighting over it with EVERY single picture PLEASE. Thank you.
4. Twilight and it's fans (see #1 and previous post about it)
5. Fox tails in my socks (first post not about stupid people hmmm sensing a trend)
6. Pointless long books...I am not even going to start.
7. Materialistic people (see #1)
1. Stupid people (not the handicapped but people who lack common sense)
2. "Green" Friday AKA Black Friday (See #1) Some stores these days have taken to calling what is traditionally known as Black Friday "Green" Friday. Their excuse it sounds nicer, and it's the color of money. These people must not a) know the origins of black Friday or/and b) are #1 or/and c) have never worked retail. If you are "a" let me tell you the origins of "Black Friday". "The term "Black Friday" originated in Philadelphia in reference to the heavy traffic on that day More recently, merchants and the media have used it instead to refer to the beginning of the period in which retailers go from being in the red (i.e., posting a loss on the books) to being in the black (i.e., turning a profit).(Wikipedia:Black Friday)" So I cheated with that but I've known that sentence (minus the bit about the traffic) since I was 5 when I asked my mom what Black Friday meant.
3. The people who with EVERY single picture say "It's photoshoped" (see #1) I DON'T care if it is or not! It looks cool. The only time it matters is if the person says it's not. Then they might be telling the truth if they did it themselves, you never know. Not the point. Point is, I DON'T care if you think it's photoshoped or not, get over it and stop fighting over it with EVERY single picture PLEASE. Thank you.
4. Twilight and it's fans (see #1 and previous post about it)
5. Fox tails in my socks (first post not about stupid people hmmm sensing a trend)
6. Pointless long books...I am not even going to start.
7. Materialistic people (see #1)
Protesting
As I said last night there was to be a protest on campus today. I didn't go because it was gone by the time I got out of class and work. I did see a part of it though as they crossed campus while I was eating breakfast. Best part was this one guys sign "WTF?! Where's the funding" I laughed for a full minute about that sign.
It warms my heart to see that the students are actually taking a part in what changes their lives. They took a stand today and for that I applaud everyone involved in it. I hope it makes a difference. I hope the school realizes that yes we do want winter term. It actually serves a purpose for some students.
All in all it was really good. I signed a petition for bringing back winter term Tuesday. This is really awesome as well. There have been days when I look at my generation and those younger and some older than me and I want to weep because I fear the apathy that everyone has will soak into society so much that we will lose ourselves to it. My hope for this generation is something kick starts us all into action for once against something. That we stand for what we believe and we finally grow up and face the world.
So if you've got something to say to the government DO IT! Please I'm begging you, make your voice heard. If you don't no one else will. Vote, write, or call whatever it takes to let the government know that we will not stand idly by while they tank what is left of our future.
It warms my heart to see that the students are actually taking a part in what changes their lives. They took a stand today and for that I applaud everyone involved in it. I hope it makes a difference. I hope the school realizes that yes we do want winter term. It actually serves a purpose for some students.
All in all it was really good. I signed a petition for bringing back winter term Tuesday. This is really awesome as well. There have been days when I look at my generation and those younger and some older than me and I want to weep because I fear the apathy that everyone has will soak into society so much that we will lose ourselves to it. My hope for this generation is something kick starts us all into action for once against something. That we stand for what we believe and we finally grow up and face the world.
So if you've got something to say to the government DO IT! Please I'm begging you, make your voice heard. If you don't no one else will. Vote, write, or call whatever it takes to let the government know that we will not stand idly by while they tank what is left of our future.
Tomorrow
Tomorrow there is going to be a sit in at my school. I plan on catching the last hour of it, if it's still happening. If anything cool/epic happens I shall be blogging about it. So keep an eye out tomorrow night for a blog about cops and protesters. :)
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Not over
Everyday I think to myself, "what next?" I am constantly asking myself what am I to do next, sometimes the question is not really voiced because I know before I even ask. Like when class is or what not, or work starts. But "what next" when I ask that every night before I fall asleep I think, now I'll go to sleep and if God doesn't take me before I wake (like the old prayer I prefer the old one over the new version) I'll get up and follow my schedule like last week.
In the morning when I wake when I ask "what next" the answer is way more simple, take my shower, get dressed go to school (I work at school) and do whatever is required of me that day there be it class or work or both.
It's the times when I am sitting in the dark in my room thinking, writing, reading or just wondering in my thoughts (the ones that aren't really thinking) and the question "what next" comes up that I panic the most.
What is next? Grad school...marriage...work...family...work....little bit of pleasure...family...work...pay bills and so on and so on and so on. It's never over, until there is a short paragraph about me in the newspaper. What does that little paragraph matter? Is that all we really leave? I don't actually want kids so no genetic imprint from me in the future unless for some freak reason I don't marry the love of my life and end up in some dead end relationship with a guy that I don't want to be with and just have kids to keep me sane and to give me an excuse on Friday nights to stay at home? I don't want that. I want to mean something, but I don't want it to be me that means something. I want something I say to stick and spread like wildfire. I don't want to be the "i like turtles" kid. I want there to be depth in what I say. I want some poor college student 50 years from now groan when the teacher says they'll be reading a book from Leslie Diamond that semester. I want the kid next to that kid hop up and shout "yes". Problem is I am no where good enough to write a story that causes someone to cry with joy and all the while tear apart my story down to the color of the car.
So what is next? I write my NaNoWriMo and disappear into obscurity? It isn't a story for schools. In fact since it has magic it'll be banned from some schools. That's something that makes me smile. It'll be controversial. No one will be watching their mail boxes for a letter on their 11th birthday because of my book. Maybe someone will go to my favorite restaurant (the characters in my book visit it a few times...actually a lot of plot is developed there just like my real life). It'd be nice if people went there, so far those who read my blog don't live close enough except for one person and I know he goes so I'm not going to bother putting the name of the restaurant here.
So what's next? I get published...maybe...probably not. I know the story isn't that good. I can try. I did once before. It's nigh impossible for a new writer to break into the scene though, so should I even try? Why do I keep writing if I don't try or plan on trying? I don't know I just do.
So what's next? I keep writing. I keep going about my boring routine and while I do I'll leave a few marks behind and someone in the future long after I'm gone will know the name Leslie Diamond (and maybe even my real name) and they'll say, "She was brilliant. I wonder what her inspiration was?" That person doesn't know but they are.
So here is to you future, it's not over yet! I'll see you soon and when we meet I'll have some ideas for you. Hope you're ready for me, because I'm ready for you.
In the morning when I wake when I ask "what next" the answer is way more simple, take my shower, get dressed go to school (I work at school) and do whatever is required of me that day there be it class or work or both.
It's the times when I am sitting in the dark in my room thinking, writing, reading or just wondering in my thoughts (the ones that aren't really thinking) and the question "what next" comes up that I panic the most.
What is next? Grad school...marriage...work...family...work....little bit of pleasure...family...work...pay bills and so on and so on and so on. It's never over, until there is a short paragraph about me in the newspaper. What does that little paragraph matter? Is that all we really leave? I don't actually want kids so no genetic imprint from me in the future unless for some freak reason I don't marry the love of my life and end up in some dead end relationship with a guy that I don't want to be with and just have kids to keep me sane and to give me an excuse on Friday nights to stay at home? I don't want that. I want to mean something, but I don't want it to be me that means something. I want something I say to stick and spread like wildfire. I don't want to be the "i like turtles" kid. I want there to be depth in what I say. I want some poor college student 50 years from now groan when the teacher says they'll be reading a book from Leslie Diamond that semester. I want the kid next to that kid hop up and shout "yes". Problem is I am no where good enough to write a story that causes someone to cry with joy and all the while tear apart my story down to the color of the car.
So what is next? I write my NaNoWriMo and disappear into obscurity? It isn't a story for schools. In fact since it has magic it'll be banned from some schools. That's something that makes me smile. It'll be controversial. No one will be watching their mail boxes for a letter on their 11th birthday because of my book. Maybe someone will go to my favorite restaurant (the characters in my book visit it a few times...actually a lot of plot is developed there just like my real life). It'd be nice if people went there, so far those who read my blog don't live close enough except for one person and I know he goes so I'm not going to bother putting the name of the restaurant here.
So what's next? I get published...maybe...probably not. I know the story isn't that good. I can try. I did once before. It's nigh impossible for a new writer to break into the scene though, so should I even try? Why do I keep writing if I don't try or plan on trying? I don't know I just do.
So what's next? I keep writing. I keep going about my boring routine and while I do I'll leave a few marks behind and someone in the future long after I'm gone will know the name Leslie Diamond (and maybe even my real name) and they'll say, "She was brilliant. I wonder what her inspiration was?" That person doesn't know but they are.
So here is to you future, it's not over yet! I'll see you soon and when we meet I'll have some ideas for you. Hope you're ready for me, because I'm ready for you.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Thank you Halloween.
This is not my intellectual property it belongs to http://www.brainlesstales.com/about.htmEdit: Link to photo http://www.brainlesstales.com/images/2007/Sep/candy-corn.jpg
Saturday, November 14, 2009
In agrement
http://www.zealland.com/Treasure_Chest_Jun14-20,99.htm
This is almost exactly what I'm feeling right now.
This is almost exactly what I'm feeling right now.
Without a doubt
Without a doubt I have nothing to say.
I wish I did have something to say.
I wish that I could just get in a car and drive off into the sunset for a bit and find something to do, but I can't. Responsibilities keep me here and now. With a ridiculous amount of pages to read for a class and over 1000 words to type for NaNo tonight I can't. That all doesn't matter though because I'm doubting everything right now. When I say everything I mean almost everything. I wonder how much certain things are worth it right now. I wonder if I'm really happy. I wonder if I'm going in the right direction in life. Just because I've had it planned out perfectly for years doesn't mean it is what is actually good for me. Suddenly something feels very very wrong and I can't explain it.
Tonight I'm going to go out and eat, enjoy myself a bit and try just try to figure out what is wrong.
I wish I did have something to say.
I wish that I could just get in a car and drive off into the sunset for a bit and find something to do, but I can't. Responsibilities keep me here and now. With a ridiculous amount of pages to read for a class and over 1000 words to type for NaNo tonight I can't. That all doesn't matter though because I'm doubting everything right now. When I say everything I mean almost everything. I wonder how much certain things are worth it right now. I wonder if I'm really happy. I wonder if I'm going in the right direction in life. Just because I've had it planned out perfectly for years doesn't mean it is what is actually good for me. Suddenly something feels very very wrong and I can't explain it.
Tonight I'm going to go out and eat, enjoy myself a bit and try just try to figure out what is wrong.
Friday, November 6, 2009
The joy of wrting
Well almost one whole week into National Novel Writing Month and I'm still really excited about it. Last year I did an exceptionally poor job at it and didn't even finish. This year I will finish! NaNo has taught me a lot of things. Like don't write in first person (it never works out the right way) and descriptions of people and what they are wearing feels really awkward to write ignore the feeling and write it anyway, especially for the main character. Sleep is of course for December as is editing. Also outlines are a beautiful thing! I did my first outline ever for a story for this book and I feel it has helped me so much! Hints for making an Outline. Write down questions and answer them. have a goal for what you want to have happened in each chapter (not how I do it but works for Neinone). Make a simple outline with major plot points (as close to in order as possible rearrange will happen), then make a more complicated outline with minor details and even some dialog roughly written down.
The first question you must ask yourself when writing (after having figured out a basic plot, but even that isn't necessary before this question) is: What makes today different?
It is a really valid question writing a story. Why is this day different than yesterday because if it isn't different than yesterday what makes you think I want to read about it. I don't want to hear about what your character had for breakfast on the normal day. I want to read all about how the aliens disrupted the protagonists breakfast an the non-normal day. If you are writing about an alien invasion, what do you know about space? If all you learned is from Star Wars please re-think this novel. If the alien's aren't really alien's but vampires from the future...this better be going somewhere good. Though the question stands "What makes today different?" if you character is from Men In Black universe and aliens disrupt his breakfast everyday, why is this day especially different? Did your character get a mind wipe the day before and to him aliens disrupting his breakfast is a new event even though it has happened to him every day for the last 20 years and now he has to figure out why they wiped his mind...and that they did it at all in the first place?
I don't want to know about the average day, that isn't interesting. I want to read something interesting. I also don't want something over the top. For example your character was the best at the alien hunting business until his partner wiped his memory and stole his identity and ran off with one of the aliens to Nantucket where they plan on starting WWIV (WWIII happened the year before but your character saved the world from being destroyed but just barely, this is of course why your character's memory was wiped because he was seen as a threat). Yet even though your character's memory got wiped he finds a bunch of clues that leads him to the bad guy just in the nick of time (again) to save the world (again)...this is not interesting it is the Superman syndrome. I do not want a perfect superhero I want someone I'm on the edge of my seat wondering if he is going to even win, maybe he doesn't! That'd be really awesome! End of the book world ends, that'd be unexpected.
So here it is, be mean to your main character. Have them get beat up and put in the hospital and while they are recovering the bad guy makes off with the nuke and drops it on Russia (or somewhere else less cliched please) to start the World War. The war starts and now after your character gets out of the hospital (or even before) they have to stop retaliation (which of course they fail horrible at) and then your character takes a bullet for Dmitriy Anatolyevich. He takes it as a great compliment and decides that in honor of you now dead hero he'll stop firing nukes back (yeah right but that's what stories are for right?). Please don't anyone actually ever right this into a book, it'd actually probably be rather terrible.
Anyway...Have a wonderful November and good luck to anyone doing NaNoWriMo!
The first question you must ask yourself when writing (after having figured out a basic plot, but even that isn't necessary before this question) is: What makes today different?
It is a really valid question writing a story. Why is this day different than yesterday because if it isn't different than yesterday what makes you think I want to read about it. I don't want to hear about what your character had for breakfast on the normal day. I want to read all about how the aliens disrupted the protagonists breakfast an the non-normal day. If you are writing about an alien invasion, what do you know about space? If all you learned is from Star Wars please re-think this novel. If the alien's aren't really alien's but vampires from the future...this better be going somewhere good. Though the question stands "What makes today different?" if you character is from Men In Black universe and aliens disrupt his breakfast everyday, why is this day especially different? Did your character get a mind wipe the day before and to him aliens disrupting his breakfast is a new event even though it has happened to him every day for the last 20 years and now he has to figure out why they wiped his mind...and that they did it at all in the first place?
I don't want to know about the average day, that isn't interesting. I want to read something interesting. I also don't want something over the top. For example your character was the best at the alien hunting business until his partner wiped his memory and stole his identity and ran off with one of the aliens to Nantucket where they plan on starting WWIV (WWIII happened the year before but your character saved the world from being destroyed but just barely, this is of course why your character's memory was wiped because he was seen as a threat). Yet even though your character's memory got wiped he finds a bunch of clues that leads him to the bad guy just in the nick of time (again) to save the world (again)...this is not interesting it is the Superman syndrome. I do not want a perfect superhero I want someone I'm on the edge of my seat wondering if he is going to even win, maybe he doesn't! That'd be really awesome! End of the book world ends, that'd be unexpected.
So here it is, be mean to your main character. Have them get beat up and put in the hospital and while they are recovering the bad guy makes off with the nuke and drops it on Russia (or somewhere else less cliched please) to start the World War. The war starts and now after your character gets out of the hospital (or even before) they have to stop retaliation (which of course they fail horrible at) and then your character takes a bullet for Dmitriy Anatolyevich. He takes it as a great compliment and decides that in honor of you now dead hero he'll stop firing nukes back (yeah right but that's what stories are for right?). Please don't anyone actually ever right this into a book, it'd actually probably be rather terrible.
Anyway...Have a wonderful November and good luck to anyone doing NaNoWriMo!
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