inadreamerslibrary

[inadreamerslibrary]

hahahaha six days left of camp nano and i have 20k words to write. i got sick and also finals started kicking in, so haven't had motivation/time to write. i have a crazy plan to try and write 3.3k words a day to reach my 40k goal, but tbh idk if it'll work. hope it does though.

[inadreamerslibrary]

april camp nanowrimo: day 10

word count: 13,568 / 40,000

honestly don't have too much to say about today. just keeping up the pace after finally catching up!

i started writing chapter 15 today and it's been kinda slow going. it's a chapter that i'll probably have to rework while editing. there's a lot of exchanging letters involved and i'm wondering if i can make that chapter entirely made up of the letters themselves. but that's something for future editing me to think about i suppose.

it's also just kinda depressing to write about the emotions that my protagonist is going through. she feels very guilty about worrying others around her to the point where it's making her feel suicidal, but i know for a fact that i'm not expressing her feelings properly atm. once again, that's another thing to work on while editing when this draft is done. :(

#writing #writeblr #writer #nanowrimo #camp nanowrimo #camp nano update #camp nano april 2024 #camp nanowrimo april #april camp nanowrimo #april camp nano

[inadreamerslibrary]

april camp nanowrimo: day 09

word count: 12,243 / 40,000

i wrote 2.4k words today and i'm now officially caught up!! :D my secret weapon has definitely been going to the library for 2-3 hours in the afternoon and doing some writing there. that gets me in the writing headspace and makes it easier for me to finish later in the evening. also having the plot outlined has been such a gamechanger. i normally would spend so long just sitting there thinking of what happens next, but now i just look at my outline if i'm lost.

i finished chapter 13 and i'm actually almost done with chapter 14, so i'm gonna try and finish that before heading to bed. doing that will probably put me slightly ahead, which is huge. i'm quite happy with how things are going atm :)

#writing #writeblr #writer #nanowrimo #camp nanowrimo #camp nano update #camp nano april 2024 #camp nanowrimo april #april camp nanowrimo #april camp nano

[inadreamerslibrary]

april camp nanowrimo: day 08

word count: 9,842 / 40,000

omg i wrote 2.5k words today! i'm almost caught up, so i think a day are two more of writing above the daily word count goal will catch me up completely! :D

i think i'm getting back into the flow of writing now. took me over a week to do so but better now than never right? i finished chapter 12 and got about four pages into chapter 13 today, so good progress is being made. chapter 13 is probably gonna be a big shorter, so i'm gonna try and finish it tomorrow (the couple chapters after it are gonna be ROUGH to write).

there was also the solar eclipse today, which i watched with some friends! we were on the big lawn in the middle of our campus and there were SO many other students there. i've never seen so many students in one area together. did any of you guys get to watch it? :)

#writing #writeblr #writer #nanowrimo #camp nanowrimo #camp nano update #camp nano april 2024 #camp nanowrimo april

[inadreamerslibrary]

Let's talk about foreshadowing.

Foreshadowing can add a lot of depth to your writing and make it more exciting for the readers. They create a sense of coherence and satisfaction when future events unfold as hinted—or shock if they don't.

Here are some tips for effectively using foreshadowing in your novels and books:

Plan Ahead: Foreshadowing works best when it's woven into the fabric of your story from the beginning. As you outline your plot, think about key events and revelations you want to foreshadow, and strategically place hints and clues accordingly.

Use Subtlety: Foreshadowing doesn't have to be obvious or heavy-handed. The best foreshadowing is often subtle and understated, leaving readers with a sense of intrigue and curiosity rather than outright prediction.

Establish Patterns and Motifs: Look for opportunities to establish recurring patterns, motifs, or symbols that can subtly hint at future events. These can be visual, thematic, or even linguistic cues that tie into the larger narrative arc of your story.

Create Tension: Foreshadowing is most effective when it creates tension and anticipation for the reader. Use foreshadowing to hint at potential conflicts, obstacles, or twists.

Reveal Gradually: Foreshadowing doesn't have to be limited to one-off hints or clues. Instead, consider how you can layer foreshadowing throughout your story, gradually revealing more information as the plot unfolds.

Pay Attention to Timing: The timing of your foreshadowing is crucial. Introduce hints and clues at strategic points in your story, building anticipation and suspense without giving too much away too soon.

Revisit Foreshadowing: Ensure that foreshadowed events are eventually fulfilled or addressed in the story. Revisiting earlier hints or clues can provide a satisfying payoff for readers and reinforce the narrative coherence.

Balance Subtlety and Clarity: Foreshadowing should be subtle enough to intrigue readers without giving away major plot twists too early. Aim for a balance where foreshadowing is noticeable upon reflection but doesn't detract from the immediacy of the story.

Let's look at some ways to incorporate foreshadowing:

Symbolism: Symbolic imagery or motifs can serve as subtle foreshadowing devices. Think about objects, settings, or descriptive details that can serve as symbolic foreshadowing. A recurring image or object, for example, might subtly hint at future events or themes in the story.

Dialogue Clues: Characters can drop hints or make cryptic remarks that foreshadow upcoming events. Dialogue is a natural way to introduce foreshadowing without being too obvious.

Character Reactions: Pay attention to how characters react to certain situations or events. Their emotions or responses can foreshadow future conflicts or revelations.

Subtle Descriptions: Incorporate subtle descriptions or details that hint at future events. These can be easily overlooked on a first read but become significant upon reflection or when the foreshadowed event occurs.

Dreams and Visions: Dreams, visions, and other forms of altered consciousness can be effective vehicles for foreshadowing—they can hint at an upcoming event, or explore characters' subconscious desires and fears. This method can sometimes be either blatant or subtle depending on how it is incorporated.

Foreshadowing Through Setting: Use the setting to foreshadow events or developments in the story. For example, a stormy night might foreshadow conflict or turmoil ahead, while a serene setting might signal upcoming peace or resolution. (On the flip side, this can be used to catch readers off guard, like a "calm before the storm" type of situation.)

Parallel Storylines: Foreshadowing can occur through parallel storylines or subplots. Events in one storyline can subtly hint at future developments in another, creating anticipation and intrigue.

Recurring Themes: Identify recurring themes or motifs in your story and use them to foreshadow future events. These thematic elements can serve as subtle hints or clues for attentive readers.

Misdirection: Foreshadowing can be used to misdirect readers and create suspense by hinting at one outcome while actually leading to another. (See my post on misdirection for more!)

Happy writing! ❤

[inadreamerslibrary]

Let's talk about pacing.

Pacing is crucial to consider in plot development. It refers to the speed at which events unfold in your story.

It's important to vary the pacing to keep readers engaged. By effectively managing it throughout, you can maintain reader interest, build tension, and create an overall compelling narrative.

Fast-paced scenes: Use quick, action-packed scenes during moments of high tension, such as intense action sequences or pivotal plot points. Short sentences and rapid-fire dialogue can help create a sense of urgency and keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Slow-paced scenes: Slow down the pacing during moments of introspection, character development, or when you want to build atmosphere. Take the time to delve into emotions, descriptions, and inner thoughts to deepen the reader's connection to the characters and world.

Transitions: Smoothly transition between fast-paced and slow-paced scenes to maintain momentum while allowing readers time to catch their breath and process information. (See here for more on how to effectively implement transitions!)

Avoid prolonged lulls: While it's essential to have slower moments for character development and world-building, be cautious of prolonged lulls in the story where nothing significant happens. Keep the plot moving forward, even during quieter scenes, by introducing new information, conflicts, or character dynamics.

Balance: have a balance between fast-paced and slow-paced scenes throughout your narrative to create a dynamic reading experience. Too much action without sufficient downtime can exhaust readers, while an excessive number of slow scenes may lead to boredom.

More writing help on my blog! ❤

[inadreamerslibrary]

I think my biggest problem with stories about immortals who want to die out of "boredom" or despair over living too long and being jaded about it is that like...

Yes, after a few eons you'd run out of things to master and learn, but like... The idea that observing humanity or other sapient beings is something that would ever get "boring" or you'd tire of makes no sense to me, considering we're the species that keeps making stories and art and sharing it with each other. I find it much more interesting to frame such characters as becoming passive observers than disillusioned with immortality.

To put it in other words: You could spend innumerable lifetimes observing people and never see the same thing twice.

[inadreamerslibrary]

@lovesdaya

[inadreamerslibrary]

april camp nanowrimo: day 07

word count: 7,283 / 40,000

not much to report today, just continuing to make progress. i know i'm supposed to be at almost 10k by day 7 words to be on track but i'm trying to not let that get me down.

honestly my writing so far has been bouncing between decent and pretty shitty. like today for example i just write the word 'asked' multiple times in a row because i wasn't in the mood to think of synonyms or other ways of describing asking a question. i'm just trying to gets words on the page, so i'll go back and rewrite all of those repeating words when i'm editing the draft.

in the chapter i'm writing, the protagonist is teaching the love interest something and it's one of the cases when i'm discovering different aspects of characters as i'm writing the story. i'm honestly kinda surprising myself with it, but i think it makes sense. it's fun finding out more about your characters as you write about them.

#writing #writeblr #writer #nanowrimo #camp nanowrimo #camp nano update #camp nano april 2024 #camp nanowrimo april

[inadreamerslibrary]

april camp nanowrimo: day 06

word count: 6,058 / 40,000

wrote almost 2k words today! also almost back on track! it's amazing what starting to write before 11pm can do lol

i finished chapter 11 as expected and got over 3 pages into chapter 12. it's hard to believe in a five chapters, i'll be at the halfway point of project garden! when plotting, i planned for there to be 35 chapters as well as an epilogue and a few interludes. that number might change though, as i didn't finish plotting the ending and i might need to add a chapter or two so things aren't too rushed. idk what the total word or page count will be, so it'll be interesting to see what it is at the end. :)

#writing #writeblr #writer #nanowrimo #camp nanowrimo #camp nano update #camp nano april 2024 #camp nanowrimo april

[inadreamerslibrary]

it's always so fascinating and heartbreaking when a character in a story is simultaneously idolized and abused. a chosen prophet destined for martyrdom. a child prodigy forced to grow up too fast. a powerful warrior raised as nothing but a weapon. there's just something so uniquely messed up about singing someone's praises whilst destroying them.

[inadreamerslibrary]

[inadreamerslibrary]

Leave me and my weird names in peace

[inadreamerslibrary]

april camp nanowrimo: day 05

word count: 4,066 / 40,000

almost forgot to post for day 5 lol. still pretty slow going and over 2k words behind, but i think i'll start catching up soon. the first week of april just ended up being pretty shitty so hopefully i will be able to pick up the pace and feel more motivated to write!

i'm approaching the end of the chapter i'm writing. i'll probably finish it on day 6 and maybe begin the next chapter as well.

wishing the best to others doing camp nano! :)

#writing #writeblr #writer #nanowrimo #camp nanowrimo #camp nano update #camp nano april 2024 #camp nanowrimo april

[inadreamerslibrary]

april camp nanowrimo: day 04

word count: 3,626 / 40,000

still a bit behind but slowly catching up! i'm surprised i actually managed to get at least 1k words of writing done bc i was writing while with friends and normally i get super distracted while doing that (which did eventually happen but still). like i mentioned before, the section of the book that i'm working on now has little to no action. it's mostly character interactions and inner monologue, so i think i'm taking me a bit to sink into all of that since the sections i wrote at the end of july camp nano were much more action-packed.

in other news, i ended up rewatching princess mononoke with my friends at an event at the my college! i loved it even more the second time and we also watched the japanese sub this time, which was a very cool experience. :)

#writing #writeblr #writer #nanowrimo #camp nanowrimo #camp nano update #camp nano april 2024 #camp nanowrimo april

[inadreamerslibrary]

april camp nanowrimo: day 03

word count: 2,596 / 40,000

i'm gonna be honest with you all, i only wrote 55 words after midnight when day 2 ended then didn't write anything else the entire day. day 3 was a pretty shitty day for me, physically wasn't feeling well and things just weren't going my way which sapped up much of my motivation. so yeah, i'm a bit behind but i know i will catch up somewhere along the line. i have some future chapters that i already wrote sections of, so getting to those and finishing them should get me a lot of words.

my note for you all in a similar boat to me; don't feel discouraged if you don't get done what you wanted to! i feel that being hard on yourself about it will only make you want to do it less. writing is supposed to be fun and something we love to do! :)

#writing #writeblr #writer #nanowrimo #camp nanowrimo #camp nano update #camp nano april 2024 #camp nanowrimo april

[inadreamerslibrary]

we should be getting iced coffee and going to creepy and musty antique stores together why must we be separated by our screens…