Let's Do This: NaNoWriMo

It's about to get serious everyone.  I'm going to participate in National Novel Writing Month.  The hope is that I actually accomplish a good portion of a draft, even if I do not finish it.  The fear is that I will create another excuse not to do it, to put it off, to admit to myself that I can't do it.  So I'm saying it here, in the tiny corner of the internet where no one is yet watching, I'm going to do this.  It will be rough, the writing will be scary -- Mainly scary how bad the writing is. | Sound clips from Love Actually (2003) | Romance Movie Sound Bites -- but I will scrape through the crap until the end.

And then I'll go back and rewrite the whole thing.

So let's get those motivational posters up on the walls, find the best pens, charge all of the electronic devices, and block off time on the calendar.  November is nearly here.

Name of the Week

This week's name of the week is a name that seems to be cropping up for me in social media, books, and even at work:

Ivy

Whether it conjures uncomfortable memories of an itchy rash, or romantic sweeping greenery up educational buildings, or even a modern baby taking on her father's album as a name, this particular name crosses ages and stereotypes.  On one hand, you could have a feisty steampunk character traipsing around as an Ivy, while also following a young adult character who has a penchant for thick, dark makeup calling herself Ivy, and audiences would accept both.  Your main character could be at her grandmother Ivy's funeral, discovering unsavory details about her recently divorced cousin, or he could be holding his new baby Ivy in his arms, uncertain of the world he is bringing her into after the fall of the reigning regime.  

It's already the name of famous characters like Poison Ivy 

http://dc.wikia.com/wiki/Detective_Comics_Vol_2_23.1:_Poison_Ivy

and is now an American Girl Doll (did you know they keep making new ones?)

http://store.americangirl.com/agshop/html/item/id/141063/uid/488

and is an actual steampunk character in the Parasol Protectorate Series.

The name is Old English, and is taken from "the English word for the climbing plant that has small yellow flowers." You can learn more about the origins and popularity of this name here.  This is obviously not a surprising meaning for this name.  So take this moment to picture a character, maybe she's ironically name Ivy, or maybe it's a male character (this is not unheard of for the name Ivy to be male), and write a short scene.  The name could lead to a great new story. Or still remind you of an annoying plant in your yard.  But don't hate on it so much.  It's simplicity is beautiful, and the history it's rooted in can be a great foundation for any character.

I do believe that the right character name will present itself in due time, and that a writer shouldn't rely on baby name websites.  However, when used correctly, they can be helpful in inspiring names.  Check out my favorite name websites right now.

Adventures in Illness

I have been sick for over two weeks.  While many may be frustrated and tired of it (and believe me, I am) it has been an interesting exercise as an adult to decide when I should go into work (probably should have stayed home more),  how I should take care of myself, and trying to figure out if I am drinking enough fluid (answer: I never do).  Now that it's reached the ridiculous time frame of over two weeks, despite how awful I feel, I'd rather not miss work.  Because really, how can I let a monstrous cold, or the fancy term, upper respiratory infection, wrestle me to the ground like this for so long?  Should I blame my immune system? Probably.  Is there more I could be doing?  Most likely.  But my body continues to hate me.  During these two weeks though, I've gotten a snow day, a new phone, and attended a bridal shower.  And I vowed to write my first post.  I promised myself that I would do it, no matter what.  This would be the perfect time!  I was home a lot, plenty of time avoiding homework and thinking about my stories.  But I faltered at where to start.  Where do you start a blog?  What would mine be about?  Ramblings like this post?  Strictly about my writing (practically non-existent)? And so I'm starting here.  Right here.  And it will include posts about my writing, movies and shows I like, and whatever else I may want to say.  Look out for name of the week posts regarding character names that I'm taken with at the moment, research for my stories, and general updates on my forthcoming nuptials.  I also will share posts from my sister who is currently studying abroad in London, and updates on my other sister who lives in L.A.  So here's my first post.  And may my illness end soon.