What I'm ReadingI just finished Timekeeper by Alexandra Monir. I read the first book, Timeless, a couple of years ago and I remember loving it. Timekeeper was... good. I love the premise. Both books remind me of my own time travel series I was working on awhile back. I also loved the New York setting in different times. The plot was solid. Buuut, it just didn't resonate. The dialogue was a little off to me, and I wonder if that was it, or if there was more that I just can't put my finger on. Who knows. (I also wonder if Timeless was the same but I just didn't notice it back then?)
What I'm Writing
I started a new WIP, YAY! I'm not officially doing NaNo this year because my November is going to be a crazy month, but I'm aiming for 1000 words a day. I still haven't figured out the end for my outline, but I wanted to get writing and I'm hoping the end will come to me before I actually get to it.
What Works For Me
A goal. Sometimes it's a deadline, but usually it's a word count. Like I said, 1k a day with the hope that I finish by Christmas. What Else Is New
Halloween! My kids dressed as Tris, a Stormtrooper, Elsa, and Anna. The kids got quite the loot. I also saw FURY on the weekend, the World War II movie starring Brad Pitt. It was extremely gory, there were lots of F-bombs, and I had trouble understanding one of the characters at times because he had such a thick accent, and there was one scene I thought was a little odd. However, it was interesting to watch a WWII movie focus solely on a tank crew and I thought Logan Lerman was fabulous. Also, I'm pretty sure I've never jumped as many times as I did during this movie. It was seriously heart-pounding.
What's up with you?
1,000 words a day is a solid goal, even if you can't make it every day. (That's generally my goal every month... although I've started giving myself the goal to take a day off now and then).
ReplyDeleteI agree, goals can be really motivating, even just small ones. Sometimes especially small ones.
Have a great week!
Okay, you just explained in a nutshell my thoughts exactly about FURY. I get that war is gory, but other movies/shows have done a phenomenal job of conveying this without it feeling too "Hollywood shock factor", you know? That face in the tank...so disgusting and unnecessary. I found that one character super hard to understand as well, and all-around detestable. I'm wondering if the weird scene you're referring to is the one I'm thinking of. I found the scene in the apartment with the two women extremely weird and drawn out. Still not sure if I actually liked the movie or not. Though I did love seeing Logan Lerman in this role.
ReplyDeleteYou're seriously tempting me to dive into my project with a partial outline. Gah! I know what you mean about needing to just write already. The thing is, I know my story will evolve as I'm writing it, so how crucial is it to have a very detailed outline? Hmm... Decisions, decisions.
Hope you're having a wonderful week, Melanie! And good luck with the 1K a day goal! (I might have to follow suit.) :D
Oh yeah, the face. I forgot all about that. Ugh. And he was a detestable character. It was hard to like him. And yes, it was the apartment scene that I found odd. The whole conversation at the dinner table... it just wasn't necessary and there was so many other things they could have done there. (At least Brad Pitt didn't do something bad like I thought he would)
DeleteOkay, where are the pictures of your kid's fantastic Halloween costumes?! *waits patiently* *drums fingers* ;) It does sound all kinds of awesome though.
ReplyDeleteAnd hooray for new WIP!! That is the best part, isn't it? And go you on your 1K a day goal. You can do it, we're all pulling for you!
1K a day is still progress! I find November's an inspiring time to write even if you're not doing NaNo! Good luck with the new project :)
ReplyDeleteGoals can be very motivating and 1k a day is certainly respectable. That's what I'm shooting on, until I finish my WIP. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteOoh, I've wanted to see FURY since I saw the trailer, but I'm not a huge fan of unnecessary gore (that sounds silly, considering it's an action/war movie, but sometimes less is more with violence...). Maybe I'll wait until it's on DVD so I can stop it if it gets too much!
ReplyDeleteExciting about a new project! All shiny and ready to be unleashed on paper! Goals are the best way to get stuff done, especially when it's just a case of chipping away at it :) Have a wonderful week!
- Caitie
Fury looks good. My husband really wants to see it, but we're lacking in the baby-sitter department these days. :-) Best of luck with your 1K a day. I'm shooting for the same goal this month. Rooting for you, Melanie!
ReplyDeleteI had an Ana and Elsa as well! Congrats on starting a new WIP! I love that fresh idea feeling of excitement and possibility. I hope you meet your goal and get it done by the end of December!
ReplyDelete1000 words a day is a great goal! I also like the idea of jumping into a WIP without necessarily knowing the end. Half the time, my ending changes from my original outline anyhow! Good luck with the new WIP! Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteI love the image of Tris, a Stormtrooper, Elsa, and Anna going out together and asking for candy! Sounds like a fun night! Best of luck with your 1000 words a day goal - I'm sure the end will come :)
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your new WIP, Melanie! That's always exciting! I've never been able to stick to word count goals--they stress me out, but I've realized that I can totally stick to timed-writing sessions.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and my son saw Fury when it came out, and really enjoyed it, but I can't handle war movies. They disturb me on a very deep level.
And, fun on the Halloween costumes! :)