Thursday, October 22, 2009

Update and so much more...

Decided to update my blog. 10 days until NaNoWriMo and I hope my outline is finished in time. Character Interviews are taking longer than expected, but I am finding out some interesting things about them. :) Haven't written to music yet, other than kids cartoons in the background, I think I will try a music list that doesn't include Handy Manny or Micky Mouse Club House!!!

Good luck to all you NaNoers and if you need a buddy let me know.





Tuesday, October 20, 2009

NaNoWriMo '09



I'm in on NaNoWriMo. 50,000 words in November. Character profiles are coming together. Working on my outline. What is a good word-count for an outline?

I'm on the hunt for buddies - others who are enslaving themselves for the month of November, others who are pushing the limits of writing abilities. I seek support, and wish to provide it too.

Go ahead, sign up for NaNoWriMo and let the words flow. I'm in - aren't you?

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Sure has been busy lately

It's been a very busy last 30 days or so. Lots has changed in life and that has eaten up all my time. Writing has had to take a bit of a back-burner position despite the stories rolling around in my head. I expect the next 30 days to ease up and allow me some more time to write and post.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Word Count Equivalent

I've been reading about publishing and I continue to learn important things. With a full novel complete, above 85,000 words, I'm also considering shorter stories as well. In my research, I find this:

Classification Word count
Novel over 40,000 words
Novella 17,500 to 40,000 words
Novelette 7,500 to 17,500 words
Short story under 7,500 words

I think a short story would be fun to put together. How does one go about cutting all the extra words? How does one go about cutting the plot down to nearly nothing? Sure, I can simplify, but when a story is in your head, (you know what I'm talking about), it pours out, and quickly jumps past the 'short story' stage of a mere 7,500 words.

I guess I'll give it a run. I'll post it on my website when it is complete. Maybe I'll post it as I go. We'll see.

Monday, August 17, 2009

Changes to Sweetwater Springs

Sometimes, the difficulty is in choosing which of the two good ways is better. I've been going over the beginning of Sweetwater Springs and have made some changes. I think I like these changes and am interested in your thoughts too. After working so long and so hard on this project, I find that being open-minded about changes can be a struggle. At the same time, though, at some point I feel like the 'whatever' response is appropriate and I make the change anyway, only to find that it may not be the best way. I'm hoping this change will please the readers. Making the final decisions prior to publication will be a challenge - I can already see that. Since I'm always interested in improving my work, your comments are always appreciated.

Friday, August 14, 2009

WEBSITE CONTENT!

LOTS of new content on alextaylorwolfe.com! Check it out and tell me what you think of these first postings! More content is on it's way, more chapters, more stories. Sometimes they just 'pour' out of me. I'm excited to have more content up!

Website is looking much better now!

Take a look at my website at alextaylorwolfe.com and read the Synopsis for Sweetwater! More stories will be getting posted soon! Let me know what you think of them.

Friday, July 10, 2009

As of yet unnamed.

An Early Draft: Introduction:


They waited. The yellow moon hung in the sky by the long black fingers of a cloud and it watched them. Their heavy lids clipped together in unison as they stood motionless against the gray building. The night was silent and they were invisible in their hiding spot. No one was looking for them, all eyes were turned toward the two yellow specks of light in the tower that poked its way into the black sky. For that matter, no one was looking in from the outside but the three iron clad statues. No one in Nor would know until morning the significance of the lights, and no one would care about their mission for the next eighteen years. Still they kept hidden, unwilling to show themselves to any who may turn a wayward eye towards the sky. It was imperative that their mission succeed or life as the world knew it would end forever.

Ezra sat looking at the child. He was awake but silent. His tiny fists were curled against his chest and his silver hair formed a halo around his tiny head in the candle light. The earth shook slightly for just a moment when he looked at her, and she grasped the chair tightly in both hands. It was time. Careful not to touch him she folded the blanket around him and then stood. Her heart felt as if it would break in two and she clutched her breast in an attempt to hold it together. The swaying returned and she closed her eyes and reached for the cool stone wall next to her. Suddenly a gust of wind blew her auburn hair into her face and she furiously brushed it away and looked toward the great wooden door, it was shut.
Directing her gaze to the window her eyes widened in fear. There on the window sill stood a huge white creature. Its scales sparkled in the moonlight and shot pyramids of color around the small room. It was almost to bright to look at and her scream stopped short as she watched in horror as the great beast snaked its long head into the cradle and snapped up the baby. Then it blinked its great white eye at her and disappeared. This time the air felt like fire and she wrapped her arms around herself and rushed to the window. They sky was empty.

Somewhere a thousand leagues to the west they landed. The white dragon laid the baby on the ground and nosed away the white blanket. The child was naked, and obviously a male. They had succeeded. Opening his gaping mouth the monster raised his face to the moon, his needle like teeth capturing the light. His companions, one black the other blue followed suite and they sang to the sky. It was the sound of wind, and faith, and joy, and relief. Next the white leader snaked his tongue out and touched the child gently on the navel. The silence of the forest was broken with great peals of laughter.