I’ve started Nate-oWriMo. Spent the morning doing word sprints. Got side tracked this afternoon so I’m a bit behind. This may be the month that sparks fly.
Status
The Wizard’s Next
I have something of a handle on the story. It’s still about as solid as handful of water but at least my hand is pretty wet. I’m optimistic about the coming few weeks.
Everything Else
Nope. Nothing to see here. Someday I hope there will be.
What Am I Reading?
Not enough. That became clear when I got my last two stat reports on reading time. Only half my normal amount. Mostly because of a video game.
In spite of that I just found what might be my favorite space opera of the year. Certainly of the summer. I sacrificed most of the day on book 1 and dove head first into book 2 before I realized what I was doing. That cost me afternoon writing time, but the story just wouldn’t let go.
Joe Durham’s Ensign, Year 1 grabbed me by the nose and dragged me into the world of Montgomery Hale, an orphaned station mechanic trading food for equipment repairs. When the fleet’s flagship stopped … well, let’s just say hijinks ensued. Pip would have been proud, I think.
There’s a lot to dislike about the character. Headstrong. Driven by a past that won’t leave him alone. Desperate to attend the academy and become a fleet officer. Sounds kinda familiar. The academy part, not the desperation.
It’s a good story. I’m looking forward to seeing how Durham manages the second year when some of Monty’s secrets begin to catch up with him.
But, as always, maybe grab a sample and see for yourself.
About the Newsletter
I publish a newsletter every month on the 15th. You don’t need to subscribe to get the mid-month update. You can find them archived on my newsletter’s public page at Kit.
Looking Forward
I originally called it Nathan’s Novel Writing Month to match the old NaNoWriMo, but Evan offered up Nate-oWriMo. I think it sounds better and lacks the negative connotations that other one carries.
The last couple of weeks have consisted of me playing Fallout New Vegas and telling myself stories that don’t match the lore. Violent, often frustrating. A windows game playing on Linux through the magic of interface layers. It was already known for crashing a lot. It did.
The important thing: I got tired of building something only I could see and only within the limitations of a rather old, somewhat clunky video game that didn’t allow much in the way of building. I wanted to build something I could share. By which, I meant writing the next book. Taking the various pieces and parts I’d half imagined and put them onto the page to see how they fit. If they fit.
I can’t really do that piecemeal. It’s too much to keep track of over time. I have to binge it. I learned that lesson on the last few books. Striving for regular production resulted in a story that felt more like a quilt than a blanket.
So September it Nate-oWriMo. The goal, a completed draft by month end.
Can I do it? I honestly don’t know. I’m off to a bit of a slow start and the motor needs to remember how to run, but I’m here for it.
We’ll see if it’s here for me.
Wish me luck.
Until next month, safe voyage.
