Stuart Aken's Blog, page 281

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Icebreaker

Image via Wikipedia
Icebreaker: noun - something that breaks up movingice to diminish its impact, especially a device protecting the upstream end ofa bridge pier; ship designed to break a channel through ice; something that easestensions in a social gathering.
'Unexpected falls in thetemperature had caused the sea ice to form more rapidly than usual and theexplorers were forced into calling for an icebreaker to rescue their vesselfrom disaster as the ice sheet closed around them.'
'"What we need hereis an icebreaker." Shirley said, as she stepped onto the table and beganto remove her clothes, one by one.'

#NaNoWriMo progress on day 8 = 35114 in total

My long day at work, so I found time to do a few words before I set out for the office this morning and then more tonight after work. The NaNoWriMo total for today was 3316, bringing the current novel length to 35114 words.
Had a slight detour on the way to the office as I'd won a small prize during the works 'Green Day'. 20 words of humour had won me a prize of a box of organic veg and fruit, so I had to go and collect it from Head Office, which is a little distance from my own place of work. The box, containing a real variety of of goodies, was larger than I'd expected and spent the day in the car boot until I was able to bring it home this evening. Don't think we'll be buying much in the way of fruit and veg for a while.
And now I think I've deserved a short break and some quality time with my supportive and wonderful wife.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Habitué

Habitué: noun - someone who can usually be foundin or at a specific place or kind of place; a devotee.
'You can always find Gina down at the seafront café;she's an habitué of the tawdry and superficially glamorous.


Pic: A leaf from a water lily in the pond in my garden. Included simply because I like the picture, and Zemanta failed to come up with a suitable illustration. 

#NaNoWriMo progress Day 7 = 31798 total so far.

The NaNoWriMo challenge continues to fire me. And, although I have had little time today, I've managed to up the total to 31,798 words. Chapter 10 is now well under way and a few more incidents have crept into the plot as my hero wends his way through life fighting injustice and causing havoc. Along the way, he's met a wonderful woman, but will he be able to keep her, considering his past record in this area? The end of the novel will answer that question. And there's a lot more due to happen before we reach that.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Gadfly

Image via Wikipedia
Gadfly: noun - horsefly, botfly, or other fly that bites and irritates cattle; someonewho gads about; someone who irritates or harasses others.
'Nina, a consummate rider,was thrown from her horse when a gadfly bit him on his withers.'
'That bloody Nigel is aproper gadfly; constantly dashing about the place and gossiping about everyone,whether he knows them or not.'

#NaNoWriMo - day 6 progress = 29099 total

NaNoWriMo challenge continues to go well. I've had two sessions today, totalling 5698 words and taking the running total to 29,099, which is well over my target of 28,000 in each 7 day period. Tomorrow I'll be in the office all day and then dancing (ballroom and latin) with my wife in the evening, so I'll get little done then. Tuesdays are my long day in the office, but I should manage an hour before I start work and maybe another on my return home.
I've added a graphic of the word count, over to the right there, which gives the percentage for those interested in such things. For me, it's a visual prompt and motivator.
Well, that's me done for the day, I think. Time to spend a bit more quality time with Valerie, as so far we've only been to the supermarket together and taken a short walk through the local countryside.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Facade

Image via Wikipedia
Façade: noun - principal front of a building, overlookinga street or open space; outward appearance or front, especially when deceptive.
'The façade, dilapidatedand faded as it was, nevertheless retained hints of the past glory of theemporium.'
'Giles adopted his mostwinning smile, knowing his façade of gentle and generous lover would persuadeher to his own purposes before very long.'

#NaNoWriMo day 5 progress - to 23401 words.

First of all, that total makes it look as though I've done a lunatic number of words today. But that's because yesterday I missed out the words from one session, so they've been added to the total for today. I actually had to go through the chapters and note the total words for each and then add them up as my scrap paper on the desk was so full of figures, I hadn't a clue where I was!
Anyway, had a couple of brill ideas overnight: good job I keep a Moleskine and a pen in the bedroom, otherwise I'd have lost those bright sparks.
Still enjoying the weaving of the tale, though I did feel a bit weary at the end of today's last session. Everything moving forward, even if there have been a couple of amusing, if unintended, diversions: we're still moving forward, which is what matters.
Had to add a couple of characters to my spreadsheet timeline, but they were already prepared and just waiting in the wings for me to bring them on stage. So much about this seems to depend on the preparation before the NaNoWriMo challenge starts.
Ah, well, time for relaxation. See what the morrow brings.

Stuart's Daily Word Spot: Enlightenment

Image via Wikipedia
Enlightenment: noun - mentally or spirituallyenlightening; the state of being enlightened; the Enlightenment - thephilosophical movement that occurred in Europe in the 18th century when reasonand individualism started to be emphasized instead of tradition.
'Julie's face lit up withenlightenment as, after years of labouring under the false dogma of the sect,she understood that the organisation existed only to glorify and support itscharismatic leader.'
5th November is Guy Fawkesnight in the UK, when the innocent and guilty alike celebrate the execution ofa man and his cohorts who attempted to murder the then king, so they couldreplace him with a Roman Catholic monarch. That they would have killed manyothers along with their intended victim illustrates the fact that terroristshave long held the general populace in contempt, caring nothing for the livesof other people and blinded by what is often religious dogma.

#NaNoWriMo Day 4 progress = total 16832 words

Managed 4 separate sessions today, turning out a little over 6,000 word to reach a total of 16,832 so far. So, well on target, which is just as well, as Mondays and Tuesdays are going to be much less productive.
I feel it's still going well, though the plot has taken a couple of unexpected turns, improving the story, I think. And a couple of characters have sneaked in rather earlier than I initially expected. But that's the beauty of working on a loose framework largely dictated by the way characters interact. It's more fun when you're not certain where the next chapter will take you.
I'm part way into chapter 6 now, and looking forward to another journey tomorrow. This NaNoWriMo challenge is proving more fun, and harder work, than I expected and I'm glad I decided to have a go this year.