Jano & book status

JANO is over.  I managed 14,384 words, even though I was sick most of the month.  First strep-throat, then a cold, then sinuses acting up.  I was hoping to make at least 15,000, but maybe next year I can make it to 25,000 words or even the 50,000 words. 

The Jano Party was tonight. There were two books and a little gift bag at each seat. We ate, then got down to the contests.  I got second place in the best first sentence contest. It was the first sentence of the Fire book which I wrote on as well as the Earth book during JANO.

"The arson scene before Sara Phillips gave the words 'crispy critters' a whole new meaning."

I decided to call the Earth book, Earth's Cipher. Knowing me I'll probably change it again but I like it for now. I still like Earth Reader as well so...Anyway, Earth has 37,330 words and Fire only has 272 words--mainly the first page. I also wrote a scene for Water which I took to one of my book clubs and they said it needed a hook, but they loved the relationship between the characters.  So I'm 12 chapters and 148 pages into Earth book, and I just revealed the killer, but he's disappeared.  More chapters to come. 

Here is the blurb I did when I first started Earth.

Bodies with an unusual method of killing have been unearthed in a small town, and Sara Phillips is called in to consult by the local sheriff.  The FBI had shown up and claim there are others.  During the joint investigation, Death stalks Sara herself before the killer is revealed.  This discovery leads to the information that the killer and Sara have something in common.  Something which led them down the path they were now on.

As you can see it's a bit vague, but sums up the basic story idea I had when I first concieved Sara's gift and her use of it.  I figure to use the basic concept of unusual deaths to led the investigators into the story, using the four elements to start with, then perhaps still using the unusual death angle continue on. 

But of course I got to finish my first book. So I best finish this blog and get to writing on my story. 

New Year and JANO

Well, it's the first day of the year and JANO is here.  As you can see I've put a word counter up, but whether I can use it is another think. :)

I plan to work on the Earth book, but I also included the second book in this series since I don't know what my muse will do to me during this month. I've been thinking about the other books in the series the last two weeks and not getting much done on Earth.  As I've said in my last post, I've intro'd the killer and a red herring in my last chapter, but I've also intro'd a few red herrings in the eighth, which is where I'm starting JANO.  

I love to give teasers.

I added the rough draft of my first chapter's first two pages under Teaser 1 as you can see. I've worked on it a bit during the last two weeks and have changed things up a little. I can never not edit which means JANO is going to be so hard for me.  Please read and write a comment about the teaser. I can always use the feedback.  I'll probably put another teaser up soon.  Should it be the next chapter or should I pick a dramatic moment?

I haven't started my 1600 words yet, I'm procastinating with this blog. :)  It's alittle intimidating to me I guess. I'm officially in a contest against people who are mostly published authors and have done this before. I can't turn off my editing and I'm afraid I'll just keep falling behind. I'm starring at the tab at the bottom of my screen that says Earth is open and waiting, and my palm's are sweating. I'm actually doing this. I'm going to work on my book and maybe finish it by the end of the month.

It's exciting but scary as well.

I've procastinated enough I think. I need to start this JANO off right and write. :)

End of Year Status

Well, it's December, the end of the year. So I guess I should update before the New Year.

The Earth book is coming along. Chapter six is finish and I'm into Chapter seven. I hit 20,000 words so I'm definitely making progress.  JANO will probably see the end of this book since I plan to write on this book during it.

I'm up to date on memberships to all three of the writing groups in town so I'm starting the New Year with something new and educational. 

My friend returned the first five chapters of the Earth book and said she enjoyed it.  She said that I didn't give away too many clues. A clue a chapter is what she says I should do and asked if I introduced the killer yet. I told her no since he gets intro'd in Chapter Seven with a red herring. 

Another teaser!

Anyway, this has been a fairly good year, though there has been bumps in the road. 

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.