NANOWRIMO WEEK #4: LOTS OF MOVIE WATCHING AND I WROTE "THE END!"

Saturday, November 25, 2017
*stumbles into the blog post with tired eyes, a half-finished mug of coffee, and a blanket tied around my neck as a writing cape*

The end is near, you guys. You're almost done. You've made it this far -- I know you can make it to the end. *hands you cookies to sustain you through the rest NaNoWriMo (and the rest of this post ;)*

unsplash
DAY EIGHTEEN: 1,466
THE CLIMAX IS HAPPENING. THINGS ARE GOING DOWN. I knew this was going to be an intense scene since I first brainstormed it, but... eek. (Though... I'm afraid that my mind thinks it's more climatic than what's actually going down on paper. When I read back on it I might think, "oh, that's it?" BUT OH WELL THAT'S WHAT'S EDITING FOR, RIGHT?)

*sobs quietly at the thought of editing* *banishes that thought from my mind forever*

 
DAY NINETEEN: 0
Today was a break day! Sundays are always pretty busy days for me. Church and work and family and being tired from waking up early. :P So instead I did some reading. I'm currently reading The Book of Lost Things, which is kind of a modgepodge of fairytale retellings with darker twists? I probably explained that wrong but so far it's good. *nodnod*

ALSO. I totally forgot to share this on last week's blog post... BUT LOOK AT NADINE BRANDES' NEW COVER FOR HER HISTORICAL FANTASY RETELLING, FAWKES. (phew that was a lot of caps but this deserves allll the attention)


Isn't it gorgeous?? You can find out more about the book in her blog post where you can enter to win an ARC!

DAY TWENTY: 1,051
Even though today was a Monday, which means the start of another week of school, it was awesome for several reasons. Here's why.

  • I wrote at the coffee shop today! Which is always delightful.
  • I FINISHED THE CLIMAX?! Guys, I only have the resolution to finish, now. I could be done with this book in a couple of days. o.o *freaks out*
  • After writing, some of my coworkers and I went to go see Murder on the Orient Express. It was a "good" movie up until the twist, which it then became a "great" movie. My mind is still spinning. O.O
  • To wrap up the night I made myself some pizza. (mwahaha)

Today was a good day and I'm very thankful for that.

DAY TWENTY ONE: 796

Ughhh today was another sluggish day and I HAVE NO IDEA WHY. It is rather frustrating, but at the same time... I'm kind of okay with the words coming slowly? Because I probably have only around 5k left in this story, and it makes me sad to see it end. I've been incredibly invested in this story for the past few weeks -- it feels so weird to think about not working on it anymore. o.o

So maybe I'll write three hundred words a day for the rest of the month so I can my time with the book last more. xD

Oh! And I saw the movie Wonder today. It was a very emotional and touching movie that I highly recommend. <3

DAY TWENTY TWO: 2,075
I started this writing day wanting nothing to do with my novel. I developed a strong urge to do nothing but REEEEEAD. I have a massive TBR pile and I want to try to make at least a dent in it. *sobs*

But once I started writing... THE WORDS CAME SMOOTHLY AGAIN. *cheers* That might be because I had pie this evening, so the sugar fueled the words, mwahahaha. It was a chocolate-type-of-something-pie that tasted like pure amazingness. I'm not usually a huge pie fan (especially fruit pies, because I feel like fruit isn't meant to be soggy and baked), but if it has chocolate? SIGN ME UP. 

Also... I'm determined to finish this book tomorrow. O.O I have two more small scenes and an epilogue -- EEK.

DAY TWENTY THREE: 1,946
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! (I mean... by the time you read this Thanksgiving will have been two days ago... BUT I HOPE YOUR DAY WAS AMAZING ANYWAY. And filled with lots of food, mwahaha.)

To put it plainly: I'm stuffed. My dad surprised my sister and I with donuts for breakfast, and then we gorged ourselves with all the Thanksgiving food with our extended family. (mmm... dinner rolls... and mashed potatoes... and pie... <3 <3)

After the Thanksgiving festivities I did some writing, and then my family and I watched The Hunger Games. (which... is kind of ironic seeing that we watched it on a holiday that revolves around food) AND GUESS WHAT? 

During the movie...
I
finished
my
novel.

BOOM. Just like that... I'm done with NaNoWriMo. Typing that out makes it seem a little more real. Wow. *mind explodes*

I think I'm happy with how my novel came out. Obviously there are lots of things to fix, because it's a first draft, but I have a nice little list of editing notes to look back on when I finally decide to improve this story. It ended at 69,000 words, but there'll be lot to add later.

Also, I wrote my first epilogue?? It's a very bitter-sweet experience. *sniff* I think everything about finishing a book is rather bitter-sweet. :P

NANOWRIMO STATS:
 [these are stats from the whole month]

words written: 69,237
time spent writing: 41h, 35min
cups of coffee consumed: so many
books read: one and a half (this is a sad number)
movies watched: four
highest word count in a day: 5,441
lowest word count: 0

All in all, it was another successful NaNoWriMo. Is it weird to say that I'm a little sad that the insanity is done? I just really love the month-long thrill of being wrapped up in a story that I created.  And the incredible community that comes together during the crazy month! It's so cool. <3

I guess now the question is... what's next? First, I'm definitely devouring Renegades now that I've finished my novel. I'M SO EXCITED. (and I'm ignoring the negative reviews because I hope with all of my heart that I love this book)

And then for the rest of the month, I think I'm going to take it slowly. Catch up on blogging, reading, painting my room (yay!!), and anything else spontaneous that pops in my mind. ;) My poor brain could use a break. (and my sore wrists)

HOW ARE YOU SURVIVING. <-- I'm pretty sure I've asked that question in each of my NaNo posts so far... but it's a genuine question that the answer can change from week to week. xD

I'll be back next Saturday with my November highlights!

<3,
katie grace

have you been able to read any books during nano?

66 comments :

  1. First comment!! *fist pump*

    YAY KATIE GRACE I'M SO PROUD OF YOU THIS IS AMAZING YOU NEED TO POST SNIPPETS BECAUSE I NEED THIS NOVEL IN MY LIFE! <3

    I'm at about 16k words and I'm frantically hoping that I can reach 20-25k by the end of the month. I could probably wrap my novella up pretty quickly if I need to, but like I'd rather not finish this month than rush the ending and finish it. Ya'know???

    I saw Murder on The Orient Express and honestly...I found the ending to be very morally conflicting. Like, I get why the detective did what he did, but was it the right thing to do? Idk, I just left feeling very confused about it all.

    Also, did you ever come up with an official title for this wonderful superhero novel???

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YAY! *also fist pumps*

      EEEP THANK YOU SO MUCH. <3 <3 <3 AND UGH I'VE BEEN THINKING ABOUT SNIPPETS BUT IT'S SO HARD TO FIND ONE AND EVERYTHING IS A FIRST DRAFT CATASTROPHE. xD

      Ahh, yeah. I guess I didn't really consider that aspect of it?? But now that I think about it I get what you're saying. I wonder if the book went into more detail about his actions for that.

      I HAVE A BASICALLY-OFFICIAL TITLE THAT ISN'T SET IN STONE BUT PROBABLY WILL BE. If that makes sense. "Along the Rails!"

      Delete
    2. *fist bumps back*

      YAS I FEEL YOU WITH THE SNIPPETS STRUGGLE. #thestruggleisreal

      Yeah, I mean I loved the mystery and everything, but the ending just kinda felt a little unnecessary. Idk.

      YES THAT IS A WONDERFUL TITLE and nah, that totally made sense. Hey, anyone who expects us to word well RIGHT AFTER NANO is just crazy.

      Delete
    3. (oooh and I love your new profile picture! <3)

      Delete
    4. YAS thank you! <3 so many people have made comments about that already, it's amazing how many Potterheads are in the blogosphere. I know you're a Hufflepuff (which is bloody awesome), I'm a Ravenclaw who's got some attributes of Gryffindor.

      Delete
  2. Yay Katie! Good on you for smashing out NaNo.
    By the way, I agree with your mention of writing capes. They are truly wonderful. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Clara. :D *yay for writing capes!*

      Delete
    2. "NO CAPES!!" ~Edna Mode

      Lol, I need a writer cape.

      Delete
  3. Yay Katie! Nice job beating NaNo! The last two NaNos I've done I hit my goal on Day 22 or something ridiculous like that...and then have no idea what to do for the rest of the month. It's...yeah.

    But congrats to you!!

    And I really want to see Murder on the Orient Express. I'll probs have to wait til it comes out on DVD, but I'm going to see it so help me. XD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wuut, that's insane! Go you. :D

      YESS I HOPE YOU CAN SEE IT EVENTUALLY. Dude, make sure to tell me what you think of it! :D

      Delete
  4. YAYYYY! KATIE, I'M SO GLAD YOU FINISHED YOUR NOVEL! *buys you lots of pizza* *dies because you finished while watching Hunger Games*

    It's so crazy that it's almost over! This month has been awesome. I just hit 40.2k, and I'm hoping to reach the climax soon. I'm so excited! SAME THOUGH. I read one book, and I'm trying to finish the other. December with likely be my reading month. And I sooo want to see Wonder! It looks so sweet.

    Your updates have been so fun to read throughout the month, Katie!! Congrats again on winning NaNoWriMo and finishing your novel!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *also dies because THG is so amazing* *like, how did I forget I loved this series so much???*

      Ooh, what book did you read this month? And I agree -- I'm going to read like CRAZY during December. Hopefully.

      Aww, thanks, Riley! <3

      Delete
    2. I LOVVVVE Hunger Games!!

      I read Pride and Prejudice (and LOVED it). I also got to watch the movie, so that was fun. Now I'm trying to finish A Time to Die. And yesss.

      Delete
    3. A TIME TO DIEEE! Oh my gosh, I love that series so much. <3 <3 I cannot wait for her newest book, Fawkes, to come out!

      (oh, and beware of the cliffhanger. o.o)

      Delete
  5. CONGRATS ON WINNING! Also, my goodness, 69,000???? As soon as I hit 50, I was like "okay, I'll write...two more words." XD Go you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THANKS, EVANGELINE! Eh, I totally felt like that. It was so hard for me to summon any motivation to keep writing after the big 50k. :P

      Delete
  6. I'm still wigging out for you over here EEEE! *flails happily* Also your note about wanting to do nothing but read is like EXACTLY WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME. I haven't /really/ gotten into reading even once this year, and this desire has just seized me. Of course, it /would/ do so IN THE MIDDLE OF NANO. -.- Sigh. It's my plan to really tear through the books in December :P After I finish my nano project ... which will probably not happen during nano but THAT'S OKAY. I'm finally caught up to hit 50k, but I think finishing the book will happen in December. And I'm okay with that. *sigh* THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WARS THIS MONTH! You are such a lovely human <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YES WE'LL BOTH HAVE TO READ LIKE CRAZY IN DECEMBER.

      *hugs* that's okay. You've had a busy month but have still done amazing, even though it's slower than what you'd normally do. I'M JUST SO PROUD OF YOU. *hugs again* <3 <3

      Delete
  7. CONGRATS, KATIE! I am also working on the climax and drawing my story to a close. NaNoWriMo helped even though I didn't really do it xD I'm using a notebook so I have no idea about my actual word count but I know that if I write in about 7 pages, I can produce 1,500 words.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. EEEP YOU ARE GETTING SO CLOSE TO THE END! *cheers* Ooh, and that's nice! How many pages do you think you have right now?

      Delete
  8. Congrats on finishing! Also YOUR AWESOME THAT'S A LOT OF WORDS!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh my goodness, congratulations, Katie! You worked so hard and I bet your novel is absolutely AMAZING! Best of luck with editing it and I hope you have a great time spending the rest of the month relaxing! I'm always sad when the insanity is over too haha. XD

    --Madi

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha, it's certainly not anywhere near amazing right now... but hopefully there's the hope for it being amazing in the future! ;)

      Okay, good I'm glad I'm not the only one sad that it's done. :P

      Delete
  10. YAY CONGRATULATIONS!!! :-)

    ~Skylar

    ReplyDelete
  11. I BROUGHT YOU PIZZA, FRESH OUT OF THE OVEN. *slams boxes on kitchen table* THERE YOU GO, YOU NANO QUEEN!!! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OH MY GOSH THANK YOU SO MUCH LILA. PULL UP A CHAIR AND THEN WE CAN EAT IT TOGETHER!

      Delete
  12. CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. CONGRATS GIRL!!!! YOU FINISHED YOUR NOVEL AHHHH. [and if you need alpha readers i'm like totally here *cough cough*] xD BUT AHHH YOU DID IT WHOHOO

    also, I just saw 'Wonder' last night and also really liked it. how they went into peoples perspectives was really neat *nods*

    now to crash and sleep and eat pizza, right?? hope you had an awesome thanksgiving, btw! <33

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HEHEH THANKS FOR THE OFFER. RIGHT NOW IT'S A TOTAL MESS BUT I MEAN... SOMEDAY I'LL NEED SOME ALPHA READERS. *winkwink*

      right?? I loved how they showed everyone's journey and the fact that everyone goes through their own struggles.

      YES. PIZZA. I hope your Thanksgiving was awesome, too! <3

      Delete
  14. i've said it before but i think i'll just say it again YOU ARE AMAZING!!!!! Like how you write and are just awesome...it inspires me to give the whole writing books thing a try XDD Congrats on finishing NaNo!!
    and I've seen a whole lot of previews for the movie, Wonder, I really want to watch it now =D
    xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THANK YOU SO MUCH. and you totally should give writing a try! You can always start with some short flash fiction or stories if a novel is too intimidating. Prompts on Pinterest is a good way to start. *nodnod*

      YES. WATCH IT. IT'S SO GOOD.

      Delete
  15. Dude, I'm so proud of you, that's AWESOME. YOU FINISHED DRAFTING YOUR NOVEL. That's a really pretty big accomplishment, you know? Congratulations for finishing NaNo so well! I hope your editing goes well.
    I watched Coco today and hoooooly crap, that is an amazing movie. It's beyond beautiful on so many levels; 10/10 would sob in the theater again. Pixar, man. Also, I'm like four chapters from the end of Winter, so that's great (and also stressful because I really like this series and these characters and Marissa Meyer is really good at building tension).
    Anyway, congrats again on finishing NaNo!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. dude THANK YOU SO MUCH. *hugs* You're the absolute best and your kind words always mean so much to me.

      Oooh really?? I was only vaguely aware that the movie even came out... usually I feel like there's a lot more talk about a Pixar movie! I'll have to rent it, then. I trust your judgement. ;)

      Oh my gosh, Erika. Didn't you just comment on my last post saying that you started the series? (well, NaNo destroyed my mind so it might've been awhile ago. Or maybe you were referencing that you had started it a few weeks before? *shrug*) Anyway, I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE LIKING IT. Do you have a favorite book?

      And now you'll have to read Heartless by Marissa as well and have your heart destroyed. :P

      Thank you. <3

      Delete
    2. Haha, yeah, I disregarded a lot of my homework to read that series last week. I finished Winter at like 3 AM. I think Cinder and Winter are my favorite books, though it's hard to pick. The series' pacing is really good, and I love the whole fairy tale element. Also, the characters are all so great!
      Heartless is on my TBR list. I can't believe it took me so long to get around to reading stuff by Marissa Meyer.

      Delete
    3. Woow. That's awesome. xD

      YES! I cannot wait to see what you think of that one, mwahaha. I think the Lunar Chronicles will always be my favorite, but I love all of her writing and how she creates characters.

      Delete
  16. *SENDS CONGRATS FOR FINISHING EARLY!!!*

    I'm surviving. I have resigned that I will not be finishing my novel in the remaining 4 days, but I feel like I made good progress with it - enough to keep writing through December.

    I know right?!? Finding time to read while every bit of you is focused on writing, writing writing - SO HARD. I wasn't able to read very much at all, but last week I started a 700+ page biography on Alexander Hamilton. It has to be the thickest book I've ever read, but it's already so interesting.

    k.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HEY GO YOU. You still made tons of progress and I'm proud of you for that. *confetti*

      OH MY GOSH I CHECKED THAT BOOK OUT OF THE LIBRARY. Dude it's SO dense. I only got through the first couple chapters before the library demanded it back. :P

      Delete
  17. WOOT WOOT WOOT! Congrats on finishing your novel! :) That is so awesome!! Please please PLEASE post snippets when you have some time, I would love to read them. Also I'm dying to see Wonder, it looks so heartwarming. <3 Hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving, friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *flails* okay yes I am still looking for snippets to post but WHAT ABOUT YOU. I WANT TO SEE SNIPPETS FROM YOUR NOVEL, SOO.

      I hope your Thanksgiving was awesome as well, Erin! <3 <3

      Delete
  18. *squeals and flails because you are done* THAT IS SO EPIC AND EXCITING *jumps up and down* Mine will probably be 75k at least by the time my first draft is done. *nods* And no, I won't be finishing it all this month. But hopefully 50k. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *squeals and flails with you* THANK YOU SO MUCH, LISA. And 75k is a perfect length for a novel. *nodnod* You'll be on the finishing stretch after this month! *cheers*

      Delete
  19. OH MY GOODNESS YOU FINISHED YOUR NOVEL EEEEEEPPP!!! CONGRATULATIONS, KATIE!! *throws confetti* *picks up confetti and throws it up again*
    THAT IS SOOOOOO EXCITING!! Please post some snippets soon.
    And I hope you had a wonderful thanksgiving!

    - Maddy | littlebitofsunshineweb.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AHHH THANK YOU SO MUCH, MADDY. *flails* I hope your Thanksgiving was awesome! Did you do anything special? Any fun traditions?

      Delete
  20. EEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPP THAT'S SO EXCITING AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH EPICNESS EPICNESS I NEED THIS NOVEL ASAP BECAUSE I ALREADY KNOW IT MUST BE AMAZING. (Actually no, I know it's a mess, but shhh I want to read it anyway XD)

    I was PLANNING to read the next Magnus Chase book this month, but then I heard something kinda eh that happens in it and I lost all my motivation to read beyond chapter two. So instead I picked up 'A Question of Honour' which I started in May or something but then had a huge reading slump and never got past the 15th chapter. So now I've started it again and ugh. Stupid reading-slump me. This book is pretty darn good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AAAAAAAAHHH THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT'S A MESS. IT'S VERY COMFORTING TO HEAR FOR SOME REASON AND SOMEWHAT HILARIOUS. XD I WANT TO READ YOUR MESSY NOVEL SOMEDAY AS WELL. :P (ahhh think of exchanging each other's superhero stories someday. o.o please, let's make it happen.)

      Ooh, is it? I don't think I've heard of it...? I'll have to look it up on Goodreads.

      Delete
    2. YES TRUST ME, I KNOW ABOUT MESSY NANO NOVELS. XD So much mess.
      Aahh yes yes we shoould. That would be amazing. Someday we shall do this.

      Delete
  21. Congratulations on finishing!! *sends congratulatory lamingtons*

    I've read Murder on the Orient Express, so I'm definitely looking forward to watching it, if possible! (that twist... O.O) Actually, I'd love to watch it on DVD with my grandmother, because she's a big Christie fan ;)
    - Jem Jones

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *lamingtons...? o.O* I... I don't think I know what those are? o.O

      YES. THAT TWIST. DUDE. My jaw just dropped open at that. It's pure GENIUS. o.o Aww, and you should definitely do it with your grandmother. That'd be fun. :)

      Delete
    2. Lamingtons are squares of sponge cake, rolled in chocolate icing and then coconut. They're very Australian ;)

      Delete
    3. Oh my gosh, that sounds amazing. *needs to find some IMMEDIATELY*

      Delete
  22. AAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So excited for you! I CAN'T WAIT to read this book! It sounds amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Woo! CONGRATS, KATIE :) That's awesome! I'm still trying to convince myself that one year I'll take on NaNo, but that year was definitely not this year and probably not the next either lol SCHOOL IS SO DRAINING.

    You are seriously a superhuman writer though..like..yes. ALSO I AGREE FRUIT SHOULD NOT BE SOGGY i do not understand the logic behind pies and baked fruit foods xD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. THANK YOU SO MUCH, AUTUMN. And ughh I feel you. November is such an awful month to do NaNoWriMo! xD Maybe you can try for it in the summer sometime?

      THANK YOU. SOMEONE FINALLY AGREES WITH ME. I just find fruit pies kind of gross and everyone around me thinks they're just fine. Erm, no. :P

      Delete
  24. Congratulations, Katie!!! Can't wait to hear more about this amazing superhero book + pizza ;)

    ReplyDelete
  25. That's fantastic! CONGRATULATIONS ON FINISHING!!!
    I want to see the movie Murder on the Orient Express SO MUCH I can't even describe it (I've read the book, so yeah, I'm hoping its a good adaption XD)!!! That twist. Its flabbergasting and I know that I could NEVER think of doing something like that in a story in a million years. Not that I'll live that long, LOL.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. RIGHT?!? The twist was SO genius. *applauds the author forever* I'm super excited to read the book!

      Delete
  26. Congratulations on finishing your novel!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Sarah! How close are you to finishing up NaNo?

      Delete
  27. Yay!!! CONGRATS on FINISHING!!! So exciting!! I wish I could say I finished...but 50K barely put a dent in my outline (okay, I'm lying, I'm close to halfway through)....

    But seriously...you still got to read and watch movies through it all? Jealous...I read on Sundays, when I have my weekly writing break, but that was it...and if I watch a movie, it means my writing time is gone.

    Don't even get me started on that cover...it is beautiful!! I still need to read her Out of Time series, though. Just can never remember to buy them when I'm on a book buying spree.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wuuut. o.o That's... that's insane. xD

      HA, I barely read anything -- just one book. :P But movies are a nice way to relax my brain to me. I don't have to focus very hard and I can just lay back and devour a story in less than three hours. It's very nice. xD

      RIGHT. You totally need to get them. Hey, Christmas is coming up... *cough cough*

      Delete
  28. YAY!!! So happy you won NaNo and finished your novel!! :D

    ReplyDelete

don't be shy to hang out in the comment section!
make frens, check back for my replies, keep things clean, shout about pizza, squeal about books, moan about editing... all that cool stuff.