Actually Finishing Something [in] July: Week Two

1) How time flies! Did you reach your weekly goal?

Well, I didn't exactly have a weekly goal, so no. 

2) Is this challenge pushing and encouraging you to write more often?

That's a definitely. 

3) Did you accomplish most of your writing in the morning, afternoon, evening, or at random intervals during your busy day (i.e. waiting for your neighbors to go inside so you can jump on the trampoline without disturbing them)?

At "random" intervals; that is, whenever Corin needed to eat. I would feed him with one hand and type letter by letter with the other.

4) Any particular musical tracks inspiring your prose?

No, but I did enjoy listening to The Piano Guys these past few times.

5) Share a snippet (or two) of your writing!

(Remember, this is in script form for some artist to turn into a graphic novel.)

Marcus: Horton, meet the Xavier.
Horton: The Xavier! It's an honor, sir, truly an honor. And may I say, I am impressed that one so young [sixteen] can be so brave and intelligent--
[Next panel] The other Bellhaven boys [Xavier's friends] look at each other quizzically.

6) Share your three favorite bits of dialogue.

Xavier, upon reading the prophecy about "the Xavier": Well. That's...strangely messianic.

Clement, guarding the door: Who goes there? [This is the first time we see him.]
Marcus, having just escaped from the bad guys: Clement, it's me. 
Clement (eyes widen): Dad!!

[The boys are trapped in what looks like a prison cell. Xavier just explained that he can't program them out.]
Rick: So we're stuck here?
Xavier: Unless someone else comes up with a brilliant idea, 'cause I'm stumped.
Bardley: What about...if one of us turned invisible, and then packed the rest of us into barrels--
Xavier, Rick, and Finnegan: What?!
Bardley (defensive): What? I was just brainstorming! And it worked in The Hobbit!


7) How are you going to move forward in this challenge? Are you changing your word-count goal, or other such battle plans this week?

I'm going to use old-fashioned pen and paper this week. Maybe that'll help. There's something about the motion of ordinary writing that releases the creative juices.

Actually Finishing Something [in] July: Week One

 Thank you, Whisperings of the Pen (and Faith Blum), not to mention Camp NaNoWriMo! July is going to be an awesome month. Not only am I traveling to Arizona for a friend's wedding, celebrating my first anniversary and my husband's and my birthdays, and taking care of the sweetest little two-month-old ever, but I have been inspired to work on my writing again. Thankfully, these writing goals are flexible, since July (as stated) is going to be crazily busy. Here's the list:

1) What is your writing goal? 

To double the word count on Killer Kilobytes, my graphic novel in progress. 

2) Give us a short synopsis of your project. What makes it unique?

Xavier Patrick, the resident computer geek of his small town, is sucked into his computer along with his three best friends. There he finds a vast conspiracy known only as "The System" and a mysterious prophecy of a hero that seems to be...him. 

I think what makes this project unique is its focus on Christian themes, without being explicitly Christian. The concepts of losing your life to save it, being unique members of one body, and showing love through sacrifice are shown, not told. Almost every character is a reflection of something about Christ, even though they don't talk about Him all the time.

3) How long have you been working on this project? 

For about three years.

4)  How often do you intend to write in order to reach your goal by August 1st? 

As often as I can, snatching moments between taking care of my baby and my house. 

5) Introduce us to three of your favorite characters in this project. 

Oddly enough, the main character (Xavier) isn't one of my favorites. 

Yardley "Bardley" Brown, Xavier's best friend, is an avid reader who knows almost every line in every book he's ever read. He's crazy about Shakespeare (hence the nickname) and about Aurelia Vail, the girl he met in Xavier's computer, the daughter of the rebel leader. And when I say crazy, I mean crazy. He can get on one's nerves with his irrepressible optimism. He is the most outspoken and obvious Christian in the book.

Rick Allen, one of Xavier's other friends, is a musician and an excellent researcher. He tends to fade into the background, but when he speaks, he speaks with wisdom and wit. He provides much-needed stability to the group when things go terribly wrong. 

TTYL8R is a bug. A computer bug. He is a glitch in the System, and as such, an ally of the rebels. He can pop any lock, open any safe, and bypass any firewall. Though useful, he's known to get snappish when taken for granted...or when you make fun of his serial number/name. The heroes call him L8R (Later). 

6)  Go to page 16 (or 6, 26, or 66!) of your writing project. Share your favorite line or snippet on the page.

(Note: this is in graphic novel script format, so it's a little weird. TTYL8R's first entrance.)

4. Xavier looking up in surprise. A talk bubble, without a tail, is seen beside him. It’s outlined in “zappy” bright white-blue.

VOICE

Pssst.

5. Xavier turns his head to look for the Voice’s origin.

XAVIER

Who’s there?

VOICE

Shhhh!

6. Xavier crawls toward the cell door and whispers.

XAVIER

Who’s there?

VOICE

Not over there, silly! I’m in your ear! 

7) Tea or coffee? 

Coffee. Though I haven't had any for a long time, what with being pregnant and then nursing. 

We'll see what happens!