Wrapping Up JulNoWriMo and My New Trilogy

Hello, patient reader,

Basically, what happened to me for the past near month is I got lost in my writing. I wrote most of a rough draft of an as yet untitled novel in July for JulNoWriMo. (I'm sure I've mentioned that before, but in case someone wasn't paying attention, like me, the whole class gets to hear it again.)

By the beginning of August, I was worn down and burnt out. I didn't want to look at the story of the cop I'd crafted so lovingly, the tale of the woman whose life had captivated me for months, and I have to admit to getting a little morose. I thought for nearly two weeks that I would never come up with a story idea I could stick to like my July story, but I've found it.

I found something so strange and unusual, I'm still gawking at the maps and the plans in awe. A trilogy was born from the tiniest seed, something that had been gnawing at me for years, and it has taken on a life of its own. Every time I look at it, I learn more. I'm thrilled to be starting, even if I am late for the contest.

As for my thoughts on July? My writing muscles are getting stronger, but I still need to practice more. I need to make myself write every day, even if it is only one word. If I can build the habit, writing will never let me go (just like cigarettes, but writing won't give me cancer). I'll be happy to get back to my good friend Harry's story in a few months, maybe the month before or after NaNoWriMo. My red pen will definitely be itching to go through the story by then.

I haven't been writing any more short fiction, but I guess that's just how my writing flows. I'm happy to be world-building and planning out my first trilogy. Have you ever created a world, readers? Have you built races and a bestiary for someplace not entirely like our own world? Tell me about it in the comments! I'm dying to compare my experience with the experiences of others.

Until Next Time,
Coda R. Napeland

Apologies and Excuses

Hello, dear reader,

For my second post, I hadn't intended to be writing an apology, but that's how it ended up. I'll try to keep it brief for your sake and mine.

I want to apologize for seemingly abandoning my blog, which I had only just started. You see, I'm in the middle of a Writing Month (JulNoWriMo) and have been spending most of my time buried deeply within my stubborn, amazing, strange work in progress. It's a mystery, and that's uncharted territory for me.

So far, fifteen days in, it's been terrifying and enlightening. I hope to keep going at the present rate, reach fifty thousand words by the end of this month, and have a real chance at a nearly finished, but very rough draft of the first book length work I've ever created.

I do, however, plan to devote a little more time, especially as the month closes, to putting something new on my blog. Hopefully soon, I'll have some short stories to share, and I'll try to keep the blog updated with my WriMo progress. Admittedly, I'm behind in my word count, but I suppose that could serve to keep me motivated to get to 50K. (Also, if anyone reading is also doing JulNo11, I could use a couple of writing buddies.)

Thanks again to anyone following or lurking around my blog. Be sure to check out my Twitter account (@CapriciousPith) for my thoughts on the random, crazy things the world of social media pumps out.

All My Best,
Coda

A Word of Welcome and Warning

Hello, loyal reader,

Welcome to my blog.

My name is Coda Napeland, and I've been writing fiction for the last two decades. As yet, I'm unpublished, but I find myself in good company. And so I'm glad to toil on: writing, editing, rewriting, submitting, until the one day I don't receive a rejection slip, but a bona fide approval of my work. My writing nearly always has dark overtones; sometimes, I write all-out horror, while others find me writing science fiction, thriller/mystery, satire and fantasy. It all latches on the landscape of my imagination, and where the wind blows my mind's eye.

I started this blog as an alternative outlet. I'll talk about the writing process, pitfalls and successes, taking some stories from conception to publication. I'll complain when I'm behind on my daily word count, and rejoice (with offers of internet cookies and milk) with my friends and followers when I'm over my goal. And I'll probably post some short fiction to give my readers a taste of what they can expect from my longer works.

Blogs connect people, sometimes people who would have never met "in real life", sometimes people on complete opposite sides of the issues. They bring us together and, if we're lucky, we're forced to step outside our protective bubble. We see things from different perspectives, and gain insight into the lives of people all over the world. I hope that my blog can be a small thread in my connection to my readers. You may be few in number -- some of you may not even know you're fans yet -- but I appreciate you all the same.

I encourage feedback! I'd like your questions, comments, praise and criticisms. I want to know what you like about my blog, and what about it you find repellent. Do you have suggestions for a future topic? How did you feel about my last post? Did you link to my blog from Twitter, Facebook, tumblr, Myspace, Google+? Do you hate everything you see on my blog? I want to know.

As always, loyal reader, I thank you for your attention.

All My Best,
Coda