National Novel Writing Month has Begun!

November 1st - 30th - Write that novel!

Today is the first day of National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and I am not participating. It's not because I don't want to, I do, but I know I shouldn't. Last year, I took up the challenge. I tried to write 50,000 words in a month's span. I ended the month with around 40,000 words. That was 40,000 words I didn't have before on a brand new story. To make it harder, I did it without an outline.  I impressed myself with how well I did. The writing itself may not be spectacular, but it was a great exercise. 

The reason I am not doing it this year is simple: I have too many story ideas. I am always coming up with different stories. Novellas, short stories, screenplays, full novels, a series of novels. I have all these ideas, most of them somewhat outlined, but the problem is none of them are complete. I want to take the time to complete at least one of them. The one project I would like to finish is last year's NaNoWriMo story. I am 40,000 words deep and thought it might be good to finish it and do some editing on that draft zero of a story. If I finish the draft before the end of the month, I'll work on two other stories I had in mind as well. It's good to get some space from a draft before editing anyways. 

So, that is my own personal NaNoWriMo challenge I guess. Finish one novel by the end of the month. I plan to give you an update on the progress at the halfway point and the end of the month. 

That being said, NaNoWriMo is a great opportunity to challenge yourself as a writer and push yourself creatively. If you have a story idea and really want to see it finished, even if it is just for yourself, I recommend participating in NaNoWriMo. Also, don't limit yourself to writing just novels. If you got a cool comic book story, write that. Take this month to make your own writing challenge and go after it.

If you haven't done the NaNoWriMo challenge, I highly suggest you try it. Their website has a lot of great features, inspirational content, and even some support groups. They even have a 2017 worldwide word count on their webpage, which is pretty cool!

For more information on NaNoWriMo, visit their website.

Get out their and start writing! -J.J.

Great Opening Lines and How to Make Them

Have you ever read a comic book or graphic novel and the first opening line of dialogue blew you away? The answer is probably no right? Comic books are visual by nature. More should be shown through visuals vs words. But, what if you could have a comic book that really hit you with words?

Simon Spurrier is a great writer who can use a well placed line to drive the story, along with Mark Millar and Max Landis. Yet, its the opening lines that I feel go under polished.

If I ever make a comic book, I would want to try using a great opening line accompanied by a strong image to get people excited. Here are some great opening lines from novels that really demonstrate what I am talking about:

• "A screaming comes across the sky." - Thomas Pynchon, Gravity's Rainbow
• "Mother died today." - Albert Camus, The Stranger
• "They shoot the white girls first." - Toni Morrison, Paradise
• "It was one hell of a night to throw away a baby." - Julia Spencer-Fleming, In the Bleak Midwinter

The last one made me laugh out loud for some reason. I don't know why. Anyway, these opening lines are great for bringing the reader into an emotional part of the story. Most of these examples are pretty sad, but they have a pull to them that makes people want to read more. It breeds curiosity.

To make your own, whether it be for a comic book, short story, or even a novel, think of the story's setting or character and create a line that is the opposite of what the story is about. Its all about the unexpected. For example, "It was love at first sight."

It sounds like a pretty common phrase, but I bet you would never guess that it was the opening line to Joseph Keller's Catch-22. Give people something unexpected

I think opening with an unexpected, gut-punching line can really put the reader of the comic (or any story) in a great mindset for the story and lead them into the world. Sure, you could say that is the point of the visuals, but sometimes a line with a visual can make a story so much better.

What are your thoughts on this? Do you have even better opening lines? Please let me know in the comments.

Some of you might be wondering why I have not posted a blog in two weeks...and then lead with a more writing focused post? Well, I have big news coming up. Something unexpected. If you are on the newsletter, you will know first (in a few short days). So, if you want to know what the big reveal is, sign up for that newsletter!

Update Post - NarNoWriMo

Hey everyone, I know I said I wouldn't be blog the rest of this month, but i wanted to give everyone an update. First, the NaNoWriMo.

As of this post, I am 23,144 words into the challenge and after today I hope to be at the halfway mark. That is perfect if you consider we are also halfway through the month! This writing challenge has been an incredible journey so far, but I still have a long ways to go. What I learned so far is it would be a much easier ride if I prepared beforehand. I have been consistently readjusting the novel on the fly, which has been a great challenge, but it might be an unnecessary one. The point of the challenge is to get the words out, but the craft is going to come in revising of novel.

Next, the Halloween story.

As you may have noticed the Halloween story was still up so consider the extra days a gift due to my forgetfulness. I will be working creating an ebook throughout the month and I hope to have something done by the end of the month. If not, I will update you on the blog. Remember, if you want a copy of the ebook, you need to subscribe to the newsletter.

I will post again before November 30th and I hope to have a lot of great surprises in store for everyone.

Until next time, keep writing everyone - J.J.

NATIONAL NOVEL WRITING MONTH!!!

Happy NaNoWriMo! Or for the less abbreviated person, Happy National Novel Writing Month!

As many of you may know, this month is dedicated to novel writing. The challenge for the whole month of November is to go from 0-50,000 words and write an entire novel. This is absolutely the most crazy challenge I may ever take part in for my entire life (well...hopeful not, but it sure will be tough).

This is going to be my first year participating in the challenge during NaNoWriMo, but I am excited to give it a try. The worst thing that could happen is I don't reach 50,000 words, but I would still have an amazing start on my novel! There is even a website to help track your progress and keep you motivated!

If you want to learn more about how it all works, you can find that information here.

So, because I am taking part in this challenge, I will not be blogging this whole month. That way, I will be able to focus on completing the challenge.

I hope to hear back from everyone on their progress on Twitter or in the comments section when I get back.

Until next week, keep writing everyone! And for those who are participating in the NaNoWriMo, and I mean this in the nicest possible way...