Camp NaNo Progress Update #1

Yesterday’s word count 4498. So much for taking it easy this run! I spent the entire day writing a new chapter in Surge of the Soul Eater to accommodate moving scenes from the end to the beginning. After that I had to revise the next chapter to smooth things over and tie it all in.

Camp NaNo has Begun!

So let’s sharpen those pencils, fire up the laptops, and get cracking!

This month I’ll be working on both revising Surge of the Soul Eater and writing episodes for the Nusquamton Archives. I’m going to pants the heck out of the short story series while trying to make progress with the novel.

Knowing me with how my brain is right now, I’m not going to be able to settle on just one thing. Current word count goal for the month is 1000 every day. Hopefully I can hit this modest goal – not going to push myself as hard as NaNoWriMo (well that’s the plan anyway but we’ll see).

Any who… I wish you all luck and hope you enjoy the month!

Explaining the Nusquamton Project

I thought I would take a moment to explain what this project is to those visiting for the first time.

The Demons That Guide Us – Outline

In keeping with how the original series started, I will be working with the randomized Tarot themes. This story has evolved to some extent already, but still needs to be reworked from the ground up. I think it’s reached a point that I need to start from scratch with it in a way. So here is a very basic “panster” themed based outline that I will be building on.

If you’re not familiar with this method of outlining, click here. Basically I’m just working with symbolism and concepts while writing, allowing the characters to drive the plot forward. And yes, it does make for a lot of rewriting at times but it’s a rewarding process for me.

Nusquamton Archives

Throughout the mortal realm are dimensional beings providing services to humans on Earth that they aren’t aware they need. One such being is Nusquamton, the Pleasant Regions of the Miserable. Taking the form of a simple brick apartment building, and with the assistance of its Keeper, it offers respite to those with wounded souls and the opportunity to heal themselves. In return, it feeds upon the energy generated from their misery. Such the way it’s been for millennia. However the balance has shifted, and something must change if they are to survive.

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Camp NaNo Next Month

Yesterday I realized that Camp NaNo begins next month. Originally I was planning to launch into the book that follows Surge of the Soul Eater, but now I don’t feel ready to do so. The ideas for it are still brewing and the first book is still a mess. That’s fine, it’s part of the process of world building and I have a lot of it to do still.

Revision Notes Regarding Celeste in Surge of the Soul Eater

I’m thinking that I should invest more in the dynamic between Thomas and his mother, especially in the beginning of the book, during the revision process. As a mother I already know how I react when I’ve lost my child for a second – or five.

Surge of the Soul Eater – Episode 20

Thomas fired his gun three times yet he missed with every shot. Peccant didn’t appear to dodge. He didn’t appear to be moving very fast at all. Yet his backhand swing connected unexpectedly to Thomas’ face which sent him sprawling to the floor. Thomas scrambled to his feet and ran for cover in the back behind the pews. How did that man move so fast? He hurled himself around the back pillar hoping to come around for another round of shots only to discover Rue waiting for him.

Surge of the Soul Eater – Episode 19

Exhaustion threatened to consume Thomas as he tried to shift the weight of the beams off of him. One wrong move and the whole mess would crush him. It was the worst game of pick up sticks he ever played. Dirt, debris, and cobwebs sprinkled down in his face as he inched another beam aside. Finally a wider swath of light broke through, gifting him with fresher air.

Surge of the Soul Eater – Episode 18

“I have sand in places I don’t even want to think about,” Rhae said.