NaNoJouMo - Epilogue.

Do you know that phenomenon?
There's a particular date or a special event ahead ... and you know it coming. But when it's finally here, you are totally hit by surprise - how could that happen?

That phenomenon can be seen live in the cities on every 24th December. Why do Christmas shopping in peace, when you can enjoy time pressure and headless crowds? Similar with the first snow of the year. How can we only know that winter brings snow and our cars are in need of winter tires?

I experienced those symptoms during the last days of October. I knew, NaNo is held in November, no doubt about that. I also knew quite early, that I would switch over to the Journaling NaNo version, also held in November. And when a challenge is all about Art Journaling, you might also now, that you'll also need material, right?

WRONG! Of course I had a lack of a new Art Journal book. 'Special' as I am I wanted to have a particular book. To acquire it had cost me a couple of days, so my NaNo-start was a little late.

I can say, that Dawn had done a fabulous job with choosing the daily prompts. Very interesting, very inspiring. I can't say, that I've done a fabulous job ... in the meaning of being spontaneous. When I think on last year's NaNo, where I did the writing job, it was easier to write the required amount of words than to create every day a single journal page. When I create something, it should mean something for me. Not only creating for the sake of making. I want to think over it, to view the prompt from different angles, to find the suitable picture in my head. That all needs some time, obviously more than just a single day. In that case, I've failed the challenge. I couldn't do a prompt a day and I'm not ready yet. But I will continue, because - like written above - I really like the prompts.

To give you a little teaser, I want to show you my NaNoJouMo-cover. Have a look!

No matter, which NaNo you've participated, no matter, how well you proceeded, I'm quite sure, we all had a wonderful time with quite a few good experiences. As for my part, I'm looking forward to November 2012. See you then!


XOXO Karin

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WQ-24. Killing Characters.

30 Days Of Writing Questions 24. How willing are you to kill your characters if the plot so demands it? What’s the most interesting way you’ve killed someone?

One more time I'd like to extend my answer a little, else this post would be rather short.

DEATH TO READ

Since my teenage days I'm a fan of Stephen King. Considering the fact, that death is a constant companion in his books, the cognizance was rather shocking, that I feel quite indifferent about it. This made me think and I came to the conclusion, it's not death, that makes my neck hair tickle or wants me to let the light on ... no, it's more the possible horror in/of everyday situations.

My mind reminded me, that I've even read a boo, written in death's point of view: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Well, I was intrigued by that idea, but frankly speaking, I didn't like the book much.

With eyes on my bookshelves I wanted to find books, where death had really touched me:

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
Sirius Black's death in HP5 was already shocking, but that was nothing compared to Dobby's death in HP7. It made me cry and sob, it took me a while before I could continue with the story.

Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward
Lash, son of Omega, was for me one version of the ultimate villain. I was so relieved, when he'd found his end ... BUT somehow it was a little too simple. I fear he might somehow come back.

As no fan of criminal stories, I obviously don't have many books, where death plays a major role. I guess, in that case I prefer the TV series version of CSI.

DEATH TO WRITE

Well, I've murdered one of my side characters in a quite uncommon way ... besides that, when you mainly write adventurous stories or nice little short stories, it's rather difficult to find an appropriate place for a death scene. Amen.

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Wreck This Journal: Pick Up The Journal Without Using Your Hands.

Do I really have to say something to THIS! ;-)

...maybe, copper wire is stubborn to work with on paper!

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Wreck This Journal: Draw Lines Using Abnormal Writing Utensils Dipped In Ink Or Paint.

 

From left to right:

• A roll of TP
• A fork
• A clothespin
• A bunch of toothpicks
• A bolt and a nut
• A bottle cap
• A crumpled handkerchief

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WQ-23. Time To Complete A Story.

30 Days Of Writing Questions 23. How long does it usually take you to complete an entire story - from planning to writing to posting (if you post your work)?

All right, one thing I know for sure, if I have a deadline, I'll deliver perfectly on time ... even if it costs me sleepless nights!

Else ... honestly, I've never given much thought about the combination 'time & creativity'! Sometimes creativity hits you like a bolt and you've written down your idea/scene/story in no time. And some other time ... you stuck!

Okay, give me a little more time to think about time:

THE ONE MINUTE WRITER
It's within the name: 1 prompt - 1 minute. Well, as foreign speaker I grant myself a little extra time to think about vocabulary and grammar.

FREEWRITING
It's a little mysterious, how a ticking stopwatch can stimulate your creativity. Set time, e.g. for 10 minutes and not a second more, and you get a wonderful basic idea.

FLASH FICTION
E.g. Rattles Flash Fiction: A picture and some basic catchwords ... and you can practice your skills by crafting a flash fiction story of 800 – 1000 words. Plus a monthly deadline.

NANOWRIMO
Currently running ... 50.000 words in 1 month ... a good start or a basic draft for a novel.

In my writing history I could manage successfully everything from 1 minute to 1 month ... that includes blog posts, short stories and basic drafts ... if you want an answer of time for a completed book ask me again when I'm done!

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Wreck This Journal: Create A Drawing Using Pieces Of Your Hair.

This page is dediCATed to my two meowing room mates Sheila and Amira.
It's a locket with their pictures and hairs ... Real hair! Cut of some of their bushy curls! =^..^=

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Wreck This Journal: Document Your Dinner.

Actually, it wasn't dinner but lunch in an Asian restaurant.
I grapped everything available: the thing, where the chopsticks are in, the napkin, that papery thing under your plates, a take-away-menu ... and some pictures from the buffet!
The only thing from me is the page's background!

Enjoy your meal! :-)


Additional notes:

• Again: Necessity begets ingenuity. I simply didn't want to smear food on the pages! Yuck!
• BUT I Loved the preparations for that page ... that lunch buffet was really delicious! Yum!

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