Friday, November 30, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 30: Did I Finish the Book?

11:53 AM 0 Comments
Daily updates about my experiences doing November's National Novel Writing Challenge.

Day 30
Progress to Date:
90,491/50,000

Favorite Line(s) Written Today: 
There was this brief flicker, almost a reflection, of Alex's eyes brightening to silver. The glimmer of his scales was evident behind momentarily translucent flesh. Then it faded.
Daily Notes:
This is it, dear readers...the final day of November's 2018 novel challenge. And at 11 a.m. PST, I wrote two words that always bring mixed emotions: The End.

I say mixed emotions because it's a good feeling to accomplish the completed draft, to know that the story is on paper (or computer). But it's bittersweet to type those words, the point in which you as the writer acknowledge that it's time to leave characters you've come to know and love behind.

It's not as if I'm done with the book, though. Tomorrow is December 1, and along with other local NaNo writers, we will be delving into edits. The manuscript will barely have time to cool off before a quick surface proofreading, a necessary first step before I put the book into my text-to-speech app. Then I'll have it read aloud to me during my work commute.

It's been a thrill to share my progress with you each day this NaNo season, and while I'm "signing off" from the challenge, I'll be hard at work readying the book for final editing, cover design, and formatting. If all goes, well, Heat of the Dragon will release by or before March.

Daily Word Count: 3,114 (since last post time.)

Daily Goody Treat:

Treat bag #30: The final bag contained a lovely little scented candle, along with the daily truffle and a quote card from Sam Friend: "There is in each of us so much good that if we could see it glow, it would light the world."

About this year's NaNo, Heat of the Dragon:

For years, Tristan stayed away from his destined mate to protect her from the dragon nature even his native medicine practices can't control. Battling the beast grows harder with each passing day, especially since returning to the town where Jessica is close enough to touch. Her nearness triggers more heat than he can handle, and the spirit of his grandfather warns him that the consequences could be fatal.  Visions of a new threat to Jessica will force him to face the woman he ran from, but how can he save her when he can't tame the fiery dragon lurking inside? 

Book 2 of the Kiss of the Dragon series.



~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 

I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over thirty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love talking to fellow book lovers. Check out my website at http://jroseallister.com, or visit my Facebook page if you'd like to connect! 

Thursday, November 29, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 29: Neither Rain Nor Work

9:48 AM 0 Comments
Daily updates about my experiences doing November's National Novel Writing Challenge.

Day 29
Progress to Date:
87,377/50,000

Favorite Line(s) Written Today: 
The roar grew louder, that of the dragon, and she heard the hiss of flame shooting into the sky. His claws raked the hood, and she covered her ears at the sound that grated like nails down a chalkboard. 
Daily Notes:
I use earbuds to listen to rain sounds when I sleep. This morning I took them off and the rain sounds were still going...outside my window. I love rainy days when I can snuggle up and write (or read), not quite so much when I have a work commute through the mountain pass. But neither rain nor work nor anything will stop me from getting some words in today, my friends. We're approaching the final stretch.

I've made it to the last chapter, so things are in good shape to wrap up the draft before the deadline. I managed to grab a Favorite Line for you today, and hopefully I'll have one on the final day tomorrow that's not too spoiler-laden.

Daily Word Count: 2,951 (since last post time.)

Daily Goody Treat:

Treat bag #29: Only one more left! The daily truffle was accompanied by a quote card from Marlo Javidad: "Be strong, go with your heart, and believe in miracles because anything...anything can happen."

About this year's NaNo, Heat of the Dragon:

For years, Tristan stayed away from his destined mate to protect her from the dragon nature even his native medicine practices can't control. Battling the beast grows harder with each passing day, especially since returning to the town where Jessica is close enough to touch. Her nearness triggers more heat than he can handle, and the spirit of his grandfather warns him that the consequences could be fatal.  Visions of a new threat to Jessica will force him to face the woman he ran from, but how can he save her when he can't tame the fiery dragon lurking inside? 

Book 2 of the Kiss of the Dragon series.

~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 

I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over thirty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love talking to fellow book lovers. Check out my website at http://jroseallister.com, or visit my Facebook page if you'd like to connect! 

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 28: Windy Days and Writer's Ways

1:01 PM 0 Comments
Daily updates about my experiences doing November's National Novel Writing Challenge.

Day 28
Progress to Date:
84,426/50,000

Favorite Line(s) Written Today: 
Nope!

Daily Notes:

via GIPHY


Yesterday was another busy work day, but I managed to get my words in. Woke up this morning to strong winds outside, blowing leaves everywhere and threatening to take some of our holiday decorations with it. The dog doesn't even want to go out. Maybe today would have been a more fitting day to use yesterday's cow/tornado gif! 

I have completed the big climatic scene and am just starting on Chapter Sixteen. I hope to dive quite deeply into this one today since it's my day off.

No Favorite Lines can be shared at this point, sorry! I'll just say that I'm quite happy with how the last scene turned out. :)

Daily Word Count: 2,482 (since last post time.)

Daily Goody Treat:

Treat bag #28: Another squishee! I've got a whole collection of them now. The daily truffle will be eaten as soon as I post this, and the quote card is from Robin Sieger: "Dream big, dare greatly, and shine brightly."  My husband and I also discussed the advent calendar idea for my daughter (inspired by these NaNo treat bags), and we want to do it! We'll spend some time today brainstorming ideas. Instead of "stuff" given each day, we want some simple, fun activities to do each day of the season (like baking cookies, doing a paint-by-number, family game night, etc.)  Not much time until December 1st to put it all together! 

About this year's NaNo, Heat of the Dragon:

For years, Tristan stayed away from his destined mate to protect her from the dragon nature even his native medicine practices can't control. Battling the beast grows harder with each passing day, especially since returning to the town where Jessica is close enough to touch. Her nearness triggers more heat than he can handle, and the spirit of his grandfather warns him that the consequences could be fatal.  Visions of a new threat to Jessica will force him to face the woman he ran from, but how can he save her when he can't tame the fiery dragon lurking inside? 

Book 2 of the Kiss of the Dragon series.

~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 

I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over thirty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love talking to fellow book lovers. Check out my website at http://jroseallister.com, or visit my Facebook page if you'd like to connect! 

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 27: 80k and On My Way

11:34 AM 0 Comments
Daily updates about my experiences doing November's National Novel Writing Challenge.

Day 27
Progress to Date:
81,944/50,000

Favorite Line(s) Written Today: 
Tristan’s wings beat furiously as he slowed down and brought his bulk to rest in the sand, crushing large tumbleweeds beneath his feet. One wing decimated a many-limbed Joshua tree that looked to have stood in that spot for generations. Alex, still hovering, gave a snarl and something snapped around Tristan once again, a sensation that popped the air pressure in his ears. 

Daily Notes:
There comes a point when writing a big finale that the work sweeps you up, carrying you off like a twister to Oz. Or, in my case,  like the cow from Twister. Action and dialog pours out with a life of its own, unfolding like a movie playing in my mind so fast that my fingers can barely keep up. That's where I'm at, and it means I'm rapidly on the way to concluding the finale, writing the last two scenes, and finishing the book before midnight on November 30.

Probably the most gratifying of scenes to write in a dragon shifter romance are those where dragons and treasure and fair maidens and villains all collide. I was happy to pluck out a Favorite Line to share that contained no spoilers, because oh, baby, I'm in it now! Practically every paragraph reveals something that shouldn't simply be dropped into a blog quote.

Daily Word Count: 3,548 (since last post time.)

Daily Goody Treat:

Treat bag #27: The daily truffle came this quote card from Barbara Becker Holstein: "...always glitter with a radiance that shines from deep within you."
You know, this advent calendar, along with two holiday movies based around advent calendars, has inspired me to come up with something similar for my daughter over the holiday season. (Ssh!)

About this year's NaNo, Heat of the Dragon:

For years, Tristan stayed away from his destined mate to protect her from the dragon nature even his native medicine practices can't control. Battling the beast grows harder with each passing day, especially since returning to the town where Jessica is close enough to touch. Her nearness triggers more heat than he can handle, and the spirit of his grandfather warns him that the consequences could be fatal.  Visions of a new threat to Jessica will force him to face the woman he ran from, but how can he save her when he can't tame the fiery dragon lurking inside? 

Book 2 of the Kiss of the Dragon series.

~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 

I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over thirty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love talking to fellow book lovers. Check out my website at http://jroseallister.com, or visit my Facebook page if you'd like to connect! 

Monday, November 26, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 26: Cupcakes and Big Scenes

9:41 AM 0 Comments
Daily updates about my experiences doing November's National Novel Writing Challenge.

Day 26
Progress to Date:
78,396/50,000

Favorite Line(s) Written Today: 
The two men were posturing close to one another now, and Claire stepped in. “We’re all supposed to be on the same side here. Whatever you may think, Tristan, we are trying to help you. You think it’s your decision alone to go off and risk yourself to protect Jessica, but you’re wrong. The two of you are fated to be mates. Together. She has just as much right to decide whether to let you throw everything away because of something you’re afraid might happen.”

Daily Notes:
Following up Saturday's girl's day, family time continued throughout the weekend with more reading aloud from A Wrinkle in Time, and we baked chocolate cupcakes topped with homemade frosting. We usually put up our tree and holiday decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving, but we were having such fun just hanging out that we didn't get around to it.

I made some good progress on the book and jumped in on a group word sprint in the evening while the family was watching documentaries. As soon as the alarm went off this morning, I sat up and started typing. I'm about to have a four-day work stretch, so I'm going to squeak in word count whenever and wherever I can.

Chapter Fifteen is underway, and I'm right on the cusp of the big climatic scene the book has been building to throughout November. I'm still deep in spoiler territory, so there might be a day or two this week without a "Favorite Line." We'll see. Either way, everything seems to be on track for a completion of the novel by month's end, and I couldn't be more excited!

Daily Word Count: 3,685  (since last post time.)

Daily Goody Treat:

Treat bag #26: Another Alice in Wonderland-themed Post-It flaggie pack, this time the Mad Hatter! And along with the daily truffle came this quote card from Oprah Winfrey: "You have a gift that only you can give the world."

About this year's NaNo, Heat of the Dragon:

For years, Tristan stayed away from his destined mate to protect her from the dragon nature even his native medicine practices can't control. Battling the beast grows harder with each passing day, especially since returning to the town where Jessica is close enough to touch. Her nearness triggers more heat than he can handle, and the spirit of his grandfather warns him that the consequences could be fatal.  Visions of a new threat to Jessica will force him to face the woman he ran from, but how can he save her when he can't tame the fiery dragon lurking inside? 

Book 2 of the Kiss of the Dragon series.

~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 

I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over thirty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love talking to fellow book lovers. Check out my website at http://jroseallister.com, or visit my Facebook page if you'd like to connect! 

Sunday, November 25, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 25: Girls' Day for the Win

10:04 AM 0 Comments
Daily updates about my experiences doing November's National Novel Writing Challenge.

Day 25
Progress to Date:
74,711/50,000

Favorite Line(s) Written Today: 
She massaged his scalp faster than usual, but he closed his eyes and smiled. “Feels great. You have a nice touch.”
The words sounded so matter of fact, but there was something beneath the surface. An agenda that went deeper than a guy flirting with the girl whose bike he hit. Something that made her spider sense tingle.


Daily Notes:
One nice thing about weekends off is that I can get a lot done. The way better thing about weekends off, however, is that I get to spend more time with family doing things we enjoy. So while I did log some dutiful writing time, including two group sprints in the evening, I took the rest of the day off so my daughter and I could have an impromptu girls' day. 

Girls' day involved a library trip, holiday snack-tasting, and a cooking lesson in turning leftover turkey into homemade soup. We binged some shows, read a chapter aloud from A Wrinkle in Time, and played with the dog. And last but not least, we're trying to brainstorm a new holiday family tradition. We want something to take the place of the synchronized Christmas light show we attend every year, since they announced it will no longer be operating. Still working on that one.

Chapter Fourteen is still in progress, with plenty of spoilers so I won't go into a lot of detail. I did pull out a "Favorite Line" that doesn't give much away.

Daily Word Count: 2,585 (since last post time.)

Daily Goody Treat:

Treat bag #25: Today's chocolate truffle and a quote card from Pamela Vaull Starr: "Reach high, for stars lie hidden in your soul."

About this year's NaNo, Heat of the Dragon:

For years, Tristan stayed away from his destined mate to protect her from the dragon nature even his native medicine practices can't control. Battling the beast grows harder with each passing day, especially since returning to the town where Jessica is close enough to touch. Her nearness triggers more heat than he can handle, and the spirit of his grandfather warns him that the consequences could be fatal.  Visions of a new threat to Jessica will force him to face the woman he ran from, but how can he save her when he can't tame the fiery dragon lurking inside? 

Book 2 of the Kiss of the Dragon series.

~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 

I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over thirty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love talking to fellow book lovers. Check out my website at http://jroseallister.com, or visit my Facebook page if you'd like to connect! 

Saturday, November 24, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 24: Final Weekend

11:25 AM 0 Comments
Daily updates about my experiences doing November's National Novel Writing Challenge.

Day 24
Progress to Date:
72,126/50,000

Favorite Line(s) Written Today: 
The receptionist poked her head in the back. “There’s a walk-in for you,” she said. “Men’s cut. Charming and hot, too. Especially the eyes.”
Jessica felt the wow flutters in her belly. It had to be Tristan. But had he showed up with his eyes glowing in the emerald green of his dragon? That wasn't good.
The flutters got bigger as she walked out to the floor, stopping short when she saw who was waiting at the desk. As soon as he saw her, he broke into a friendly smile. So very friendly. But it wasn't Tristan.

Daily Notes:
Happy weekend off! After my lackluster Thanksgiving word count, Black Friday put me "back into the black" with over 2,700 words added. I got some writing done before driving to work, more while waiting for time to clock in, and two of us local NaNo writers did a head-to-head word sprint during my dinner break. 

Due to yesterday's holiday restaurant closures and an unfortunate situation where the food I ordered off my delivery app never arrived, dinner break consisted of slightly stale leftover dinner rolls and a slice of pumpkin pie. Nevertheless, I crossed 70k and am planning to get at least one more chapter written over the weekend. With no work shifts until Monday, it's my last chance for a two-day stretch to pack in all the writing I can. By this time next weekend, NaNo 2018 will officially be over...and my goal is to have all seventeen chapters of the draft completed.

I had skipped a scene temporarily, so I went back and finished that up. Now I'm in the thick of Chapter Fourteen, working on a scene where the heroine is interacting with the villain! Gasp.

Daily Word Count: 2,735 (since last post time.)

Daily Goody Treat:

Treat bag #24: Squishee the Duck!! Isn't he too cute? He joins the squishee crew along with today's chocolate truffle and a quote card from Katelyn S. Irons: "Shine with all you have."

About this year's NaNo, Heat of the Dragon:

For years, Tristan stayed away from his destined mate to protect her from the dragon nature even his native medicine practices can't control. Battling the beast grows harder with each passing day, especially since returning to the town where Jessica is close enough to touch. Her nearness triggers more heat than he can handle, and the spirit of his grandfather warns him that the consequences could be fatal.  Visions of a new threat to Jessica will force him to face the woman he ran from, but how can he save her when he can't tame the fiery dragon lurking inside? 

Book 2 of the Kiss of the Dragon series.

~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 

I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over thirty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love talking to fellow book lovers. Check out my website at http://jroseallister.com, or visit my Facebook page if you'd like to connect! 

Friday, November 23, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 23: A Bookish Black Friday

10:29 AM 0 Comments
Daily updates about my experiences doing November's National Novel Writing Challenge.

Day 23

Progress to Date:
69391/50000

Favorite Line(s) Written Today: 
He watched Jessica in fascination, remembering that first day he'd seen her. The music and drums were what had drawn him to the football field, and then her presence had kept him there. His mate was dancing for him, and his pulse was speeding up, beating harder in tune to the drums.

Daily Notes:

My idea of the perfect Black Friday:

Another night of no group sprints, partly because when I checked in during my work break (fifteen minutes late), no sprints were running because of the holiday. That didn't stop me from adding some word count as a side dish to my turkey dinner, but I readily admit I less time tapping keys and more on forking up the turkey, yams, green beans, and a slice of pecan pie that was a little bit of heaven. So today's count is my first under 1k for the challenge. Still, not bad for a holiday...and I will surely cross 70k today. I will be working again, but sprints will happen...and a weekend off looms on the horizon.

I temporarily skipped ahead to working on Chapter Fourteen, a scene where our heroine is so distracted that it's interfering with work...and things are about to get a lot crazier. 

Daily Word Count: 799 (since last post time.)

Daily Goody Treat:

Treat bag #23: Today's chocolate truffle was accompanied by a quote card from J.K. Rowling: "We do not need magic to transform our world. We carry all of the power we need inside ourselves already."

About this year's NaNo, Heat of the Dragon:

For years, Tristan stayed away from his destined mate to protect her from the dragon nature even his native medicine practices can't control. Battling the beast grows harder with each passing day, especially since returning to the town where Jessica is close enough to touch. Her nearness triggers more heat than he can handle, and the spirit of his grandfather warns him that the consequences could be fatal.  Visions of a new threat to Jessica will force him to face the woman he ran from, but how can he save her when he can't tame the fiery dragon lurking inside? 

Book 2 of the Kiss of the Dragon series.

~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 

I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over thirty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love talking to fellow book lovers. Check out my website at http://jroseallister.com, or visit my Facebook page if you'd like to connect! 

Thursday, November 22, 2018

NaNoWriMo 2018 Day 22: A Writer's Thanksgiving

12:13 PM 0 Comments
Daily updates about my experiences doing November's National Novel Writing Challenge.

Day 22

Progress to Date:
68592/50000

Favorite Line(s) Written Today: 
Let’s change the subject to something more pleasant, shall we? Like emeralds.” Jessica bent slightly to peer inside a case. “These are gorgeous.”
Tristan glanced at the matching bracelet and earrings. “Those are mediocre. The ones I have in the back are gorgeous.”
She smiled. “Oh? And does my dragon have a lot of treasure back there that a fair maiden might try on?”
He heard the rumble in response that wasn’t exactly a growl. It was more of a purr.

Daily Notes:

Happy Thanksgiving to those in the states! Writers all over are sitting down to a hot meal with family and friends, and us NaNoers are doing the same...with the addition of some writing sprints done before and after the feast.

Exhaustion claimed me last night, so I completely missed the group sprints. But I got back to Chapter Thirteen first thing this morning, while my husband is in charge of getting turkey in the oven and the usual side dishes prepped for a low key meal. Two different pies sit on the counter, awaiting dessert. I hope there's some left for me when I get home! I'm just about to leave for work, and some writing will hopefully occur in between bites of the cafeteria turkey dinner.

Currently, I'm working on a fun scene involving the hero and heroine at his jewelry store. I'm still navigating spoiler territory, but I managed to pick out a Favorite Line today. 

Daily Word Count: 1,566 (since last post time.)

Daily Goody Treat:

Treat bag #22: Today's chocolate truffle was accompanied by a quote card from Andre Gide: "Dare to be yourself."

About this year's NaNo, Heat of the Dragon:

For years, Tristan stayed away from his destined mate to protect her from the dragon nature even his native medicine practices can't control. Battling the beast grows harder with each passing day, especially since returning to the town where Jessica is close enough to touch. Her nearness triggers more heat than he can handle, and the spirit of his grandfather warns him that the consequences could be fatal.  Visions of a new threat to Jessica will force him to face the woman he ran from, but how can he save her when he can't tame the fiery dragon lurking inside? 

Book 2 of the Kiss of the Dragon series.

~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 

I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over thirty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love talking to fellow book lovers. Check out my website at http://jroseallister.com, or visit my Facebook page if you'd like to connect! 

Visits To This Blog: