DTD — 651 words, and Phoenix Fires

A second bizarre mass suicide leaves Manhattan’s denizens uneasy, and my hero connects the seemingly unrelated deaths to a case he was already working on.

It went well, and I sort of lost track of words in the fun of writing this.

If you’re playing WABWM at Level Two, your magic number for the night is 500, NOT 651.

How are your words coming?

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61 responses to “DTD — 651 words, and Phoenix Fires”

  1. Gabby Avatar
    Gabby

    I can’t keep my eyes open, wah. Football kind of hijacked my writing time tonight (curses to hubby for getting me hooked… JK). Hopefully I won’t have to scrap too much of this tomorrow. 56i8 words.

    1. Gabby Avatar
      Gabby

      LOL- in my dreams I would get 5618 words. (…I was really tired…) 568 words actually….

  2. ceecee Avatar
    ceecee

    Did several hours of revising–very slow going but I want to get it right. Also managed to put in 639 words on the fantasy and was delighted to learn that Bad Guy wants to shower MC in luxury so she will tell him whereabouts of the (Sort Of) Good Guy.
    Off to Bedfordshire.

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      Being showered in luxury. Interesting sort of interrogation technique. ๐Ÿ˜€

  3. Elise Avatar
    Elise

    Only 152 words. I can’t wait for the weekend when I can focus on the novel instead of the day job.

  4. Don Avatar
    Don

    Not sure of my level but low production today 445, I’ll make it up tomorrow and over the weekend things are getting fun, but i’m also getting hungery. Dinner time Bye!!!

  5. laurel Avatar

    the internet connection in my flat vanished. I am at a spooky library, checking e-mail, with many bugs. Ghastly grammar intentional.

    my plot vanished, my words are dangerous, it is a wee bit of a daunting time.
    Given that time does not exist all is unfolding or folding or something.

  6. Dena C. Avatar
    Dena C.

    It’s an even 1400 words for me tonight and I think I’ll leave it at that. It’s still disgustingly hot and humid and I don’t think I can sit in front of the computer for another second. I may take tomorrow night off, since I usually do. Have a happy Friday everyone, if I don’t come on tomorrow night.

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      Hot weather sucks a lot of fun out of writing. For me, it’s a lot easier to be too cold than to be to hot and still get things done.

  7. Mikaela Avatar
    Mikaela

    I got 350 words today, and the draft is up to 7600. Yay! All this is despite being tired after walking around the city for hours together with a friend. Hopefully will tomorrow be slightly more productive since I plan to spend the whole day writing.

  8. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    538 for the day. Got to do despicable things with my villain. Heh heh heh. Not TO him — with him. Now back to my heroine — who is about ready to cross that thin line between proper behaviour and the dark side. She’s become way too Polly Anna and I realize that’s one of the reasons why she’s been no fun to write lately. So it’s time to raise the stakes. Yup. Gotta love it when a plan comes together.

    1. Gabby Avatar
      Gabby

      Yeah- that is a great discovery. Cheers to finding a way to make your MC’s life more miserable and your writing more fun! ๐Ÿ™‚

  9. HannaBelle (aka Belle) Avatar
    HannaBelle (aka Belle)

    Oops, posted on the wrong day. This was my count for the 12th.

    About a hundred words yesterday, sitting at a sushi bar, while my niece shopped. Its not 500 but I am not going to give myself grief over it. There are some ways in which my story is still forming in my mind. If I somehow counted all the thinking I do about it as I go about my day, and even dream about it at night, its a lot of activity.

  10. Rabia Avatar

    I rewrote my story beginning and then finished up the first scene. I don’t know how many new words I got, but the total is 900-plus words. I have the stage for the next scene set in my head; I just have to bring on the actors tonight!

  11. Lisa R Avatar
    Lisa R

    0 words. The day was too busy to even open up the computer. I did do some thinking. I finally figured out where the antagonist has been spending her time. So I am looking forward to doing a little writing tonight and hopefully quite a bit this weekend.

    1. Dawn K. Avatar
      Dawn K.

      Sometimes the thinking time is more important than the writing time. At least that’s how I’ve felt. Writing takes up more time but with no think time you tend to have to rewrite more often than you wish. I hope you have a great weekend!

  12. Karen Avatar
    Karen

    Surprised myself by writing 813 words yesterday. Did some light editing on chapter four, filling it out a little more then started chapter five. Learned something new about my antagonist, which was fun. Now I need to figure out some more details on some of the characters abilities.

    Good luck writing, planning, etc. everyone!

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      Terrific. Congrats, Karen. Those surprise word counts are always fun.

  13. Scarlett Avatar
    Scarlett

    No words as have been away for a week nearly. We went to my parents on Saturday and I’ve only just got back. Had no intention of staying so long but there you go. I am hopeful that words will start again tomorrow. Only five weeks until deadline and about 30,000 words to go. Will I make it? At the moment not sure.

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      You can do it, Scarlett.

      5 weeks, 30,000 words, that’s 6000 words a week, a thousand a day if you work Monday through Saturday, or 1200 a day if you work five days a week. If you bump your goal to 1500 words a day and make it most days, you’ll build in a nice buffer and have some time at the end to do a decent one-pass revision.

      And 1500 words a day is a comfortably survivable pace.

      Good luck.

  14. Patricia Avatar
    Patricia

    2,039 words last night, and after moping about his situation for a while, Ryan finally decided he needed to do something about it. He’s met the heroine (finally!) and learning about her people’s culture and all that, slowly learning the language…(it was pretty funny watching them trying to communicate with hand signals) Then he decided to draw a self portrait, which is completely strange for a guy like him, and he’s mostly back to his old cheerful self now. Yay! Now time to cook up some escape plans…and more trouble. *cackle*

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      It’s wonderful watching you have that much fun. This is how it’s supposed to feel.

  15. Cat (from HtTS) Avatar

    571 words and I sent it off to the agent. Funny that you mention the Phoenix. He is playing a major role in my novel. Now I only have to figure out how to shut him up. He talks way too much.

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      Cheers on getting it out the door on time. Good luck. I hope your agent loves it.

  16. Kait Nolan Avatar

    Almost 800 words yesterday. I finished the scene that had been giving me so much trouble and I’m slowly moving forward. Haven’t touched the novella since last week because I’ve been struggling with the main WIP.

  17. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    270 to finish the scene. I had to switch some sentences for structural clarity but it worked out well and I’m happy with it. Lots of action coming up. MC is finally going to learn some of the science and laws behind her abilities, getting some well-earned bruises along the way – physical and emotional.

  18. Larkk Avatar
    Larkk

    468 words and crossed over the 100k mark today. I’m somewhat surprised that it wasn’t that hard to get here in terms of words, just takes time-and lots of writing. (I’ve been writing this since April.) It’s pretty exciting to see the word counter turn over that many digits! Unfortunately, my novel is still a plot hole riddled little boat I must guide to shore before it sinks completely. Wish me luck!
    By the way, this blog is exactly what I need to keep going, not too much information as to be intimidating, but just enough to start building the foundation.

    1. Khena Avatar
      Khena

      Congratulations on your words! And good luck on finishing it up =) It gives me such hope to see others doing so well that I’ll be able to make it to the revision stage this time!

      1. Larkk Avatar
        Larkk

        Ah, yes, the land of revision, where first drafts go to become actual novels. I’ve heard great things about that place and hope that I will get there soon. Thanks for the encouragement ๐Ÿ™‚

    2. Gabby Avatar
      Gabby

      Congratulations! That’s great news. Good luck, good luck bringing it to a close! ๐Ÿ™‚

      1. SCBrazil Avatar
        SCBrazil

        Well done. I crossed one twentieth of your mark today and it’s encouraging to know it can be done.
        I am sure the sea is not that deep where you are. Jump overboard and you’ll only be up to your knees.
        Then it’s just a case of leisurely carrying your boat ashore.
        Good luck.

        1. Larkk Avatar
          Larkk

          Thanks guys! I’m cheering for you all as well ๐Ÿ™‚

  19. Khena Avatar
    Khena

    600 some words for me. I finally have a good solid start to the scene from bad places that was giving me so much trouble. It’s still not finished, but I’m happy with most of what I have. I’ve wasted so many days on this one scene trying to get it right, when I should have just skipped it or kept the crappy verisons I had. Oh well, I should finish it up in the next few days, then hopefully it will go easier… stupid middle

  20. Dawn K. Avatar
    Dawn K.

    I added a scene to the beginning with Tsaya in her egg, trying to reach her future bondmate. That was 1,022 words. I also wrote out the laws of the land applied to dragons and mages. Then I figured out five of the spells for each mage type with their limitations and the limitations of magic in general. I’d already done a bit on how the magic system works but hadn’t defined good limitations. I feel better about it now that I know what can and can’t be done.

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      The most important thing about any magic system in fiction is its limitations. Your story is aided immensely by the things your character CANNOT do, and made weaker by every magical trick he can.

      Knowing the limitations allows you to plot straight into them for maximum conflict. So … nice going.

      1. Dawn K. Avatar
        Dawn K.

        You are so right Holly! I started getting scene ideas as soon as the limits were set. Suddenly I had new corners I could push my mage into, where just magic would not be enough to get him out.

  21. megan Avatar
    megan

    Hi Holly, just want to say that being brain dead from no sleep and to much study means I am not writing, something had to give and it is that right now. I dont expect any one to notice that I have not been putting up word tallys but I wanted to thank you, Holly, and to leave politely. I might check in from time to time to see how, DtD and other’s work is going. Fly high all of you!

    1. Sarah Collins Avatar

      Megan, I hope you’re able to come back and join us soon – or whenever you are ready. Best of luck to you with your studies!

    2. Nancy Avatar
      Nancy

      Do what you need to do, then come back and join us again. We’ll be here to cheer you on when you’re ready.

    3. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      Megan… three years. I’m going to be at this for THREE YEARS. (Current estimate, but still…) Drop in when you’re ready to write some more. I’ll still be here.

      In the meantime, be well.

      1. megan Avatar
        megan

        thanks everyone, I have discovered exhaustion makes me weepy and wingy, an annoying baby. But I still dont have time to write now, just make notes.
        And congratulations Sarah on the ‘fin’

  22. Leah Avatar
    Leah

    515 words. Hero admits it to himself that he loves the heroine. She’s still angry with him. He’s proud; he’s got to talk himself into an apology. She, on the other hand, has to learn forgiveness. Should be interesting.

  23. Greg Avatar
    Greg

    593 words today, and building towards a juicy scene involving a swamp. Also passed 10k.

  24. Ieva Avatar

    I did 400+ words. Not happy with that count since I spent LOTS of time doing all kinds of useless growling whining yelling and whatnot. It all could have been spent writing, had I been smarter.
    I’ve become a really greedy person that way. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Also, I think I won’t show up for next few days, I’m off to St.Petersburg. I’ll be back.

  25. Treelight Avatar
    Treelight

    No words for me, so I guess this has to count as one of the free days.
    I just was too tired from work and couldn’t manage to start the necessary rewrites and inserts.
    I also feel that the additional villain I am about to put into the story should be connected in some way to the bad guys that are already there in the background. But I’m not to happy with those first problem-makers in the first place ๐Ÿ™

    Anyway, tomorrow I don’t have to work, because an electrician has to repair something in my house. I hope this will give me opportunity to think of something useful to write till the power will be switched on again.

  26. Red_dot Avatar
    Red_dot

    After two days of being off the radar, I have 450 words. I have been derailed with taking Mrs to the doctor. She is the only woman I have or will ever love, I’m 42 and have known her since I was 16. I will find out soon…

    1. Debora Avatar
      Debora

      Oh dear, I really hope you have good news, or it’s something fixable. She must really be special to have warranted such a lasting love.

    2. Gabby Avatar
      Gabby

      I’m sorry to hear that too. I hope you will hear really good news from the doctors. I think the waiting can sometimes be some of the hardest part.

  27. The Pencil Neck Avatar
    The Pencil Neck

    696 words.

    After writing a scene from the MC’s mother’s point of view, today I wrote almost the same scene from the MC’s point of view. I think it provides an interesting counterpoint.

    The MC returns home and hopes to be able to ignore the whole turning into a vampire thing. But after talking with his mother (who is unaware of his… death), he realizes that he can’t go back to his old life. He can smell that she’s sick with something nasty. He tries to convince her to go to bed and then go to a healer. But she can’t afford the healer. She’s trying to get him to close the window and go to bed. He keeps her from seeing him.

    And now he’s got a goal of acquiring money to pay for her to go to a healer.

    BUT… this conversation’s existence means I’ve got some re-writing of an earlier scene where the Sheriff tells Lio’s mother that Lio is dead. That scene should take place the very next day from the scene I wrote tonight and should include something like “What do you mean he died two days ago? I just talked to him this morning when I got home from the tavern. My baby is not dead. You’ve got the wrong person.”

  28. Jamie D. Avatar

    291 words tonight, and decent ones, I think. My poor heroine is trapped in her house by a reporter, and is about to see what my hero inadvertently admitted on TV. Such angst.

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      LOL. When a reporter trapped one of my heroines in her home, she pepper sprayed him.

  29. KQ Avatar
    KQ

    1056 for me. Some decent conflict between two secondary characters and some foreshadowing. I’m content with it.

  30. Lindsay Avatar
    Lindsay

    690 words for me tonight. I am into chapter five now! The first part was something I had written over a month ago and was able to connect in after last night. So tonight was all about continuing that scene that I had stopped writing after getting bored with it. I have to say that what I got I am very pleased with.

    I left it with my main MC pulling out another MC from the communal bath after realizing that the girl was frightened of men for some reason and two men had entered the bath just as they were finishing up.

  31. Brian Cansler Avatar

    I’m still stuck in the world of plotting, but I hope to be done with that soon.

    Holly, I was bored today while taking a break from plotting, and I thought it’d be cool to have an icon or button for those working on the WABWM project to add to their sites. So I opened up Paintbrush (the Mac equivalent to Paint) and made a few samples. They’re simple, with two or three colours, in two sizes, and they say, “I’m writing a book with Holly Lisle.” Here’s an example:

    http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h133/enyafan713/bluebig.png

    If you like them, I’d be happy to make more in all sorts of colours. It’s kind of fun!

    1. Holly Avatar
      Holly

      Very cool. Nice idea. Shrink them down (say to 100×150) to cut down on the bandwidth, and I’ll host them here so folks can just copy and paste directly from my site. ๐Ÿ˜€

  32. Clare K. R. Miller Avatar

    578 words today. My heroine had a door slammed in her face for the second time that day. She also got some good news, though.

  33. Sarah Collins Avatar

    Wow, Holly. That would give me the heebie jeebies, too!

    I cranked out 2,061 words today (my highest single-day total yet) and finished chapter 22. I also wrote the last scene of the book, but I still have (I’m guessing) three chapters left to write. So even though the last scene is there, I’m not quite finished.

    1. Nancy Avatar
      Nancy

      Way to go Sarah. And congrats on The Last Scene. You must be feeling on top of the world!

    2. Dena C. Avatar
      Dena C.

      Awesome job, Sarah!!!

      1. Holly Avatar
        Holly

        Go, Sarah! Cheers on closing in on your finish.

  34. Jim Mitchel Avatar

    Today is day eleven in writing the very long chapter seven! But I’m having a ton of fun. Part of me wants to get to the end of the chapter, the other part does not want it to end. Maybe that’s why I’m not pushing myself for higher word counts.

    The gray morning sky was lit up by an azure bolt of magic, as the battle with the nightmare creature waged on.

    Word count for today: 278

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