Tag: writer

NaNoWriMo2022: End of Week Four

Alina H. Hansen Writer & Poet

November is almost over, and what’s next? I’m still working on my novel, hovering around 30k words, but I’ve made huge strides. The story’s finally where I want it, and I’ve got a few plot points boiling in my head that I can’t wait to try out. I feel free to hit 50k words by Dec 1st, so I’m pushing my deadline to the end of December.

I finished Book #1 of The Scholomance; what a letdown. The plot warbled here and there, the characters felt flat, and the only parts I was really interested had the student-eating monsters.

I’m working on finishing Mastering the Process by Elizabeth George, which is also a big disappointment. I’ve read many books on writing novels, but this one gives general advice and has a ton of filler that just excerpts from one of her novels.

My plans for week five? I want to write about 10k words and finish the story’s climax; I’m thinking of a significant character reveal. How’s your NaNoWriMo going? Are you looking for a writing partner? HMU on nanowrimo.org; my username is alinahappyhansen ?

NaNoWriMo2022: End of Week Three

Alina H. Hansen Writer & Poet

This week has gone by in a flurry. I took a healthy amount of time off to spend with my partner, it was our ninth anniversary, and we had a fabulous day out going to a hip restaurant and then out for drinks at a local dive bar by the Haight. I was swept up in fun and fell behind in my writing, but I wouldn’t trade our good times for anything.

My novel is over 25k words, but I’ve a solid grasp of where the story’s going and how things will unfold. I find reading for long periods of time refreshing to clear my head.

I finished No Nature by Gary Snyder this week, and I’m almost done with Book #1 of The Scholomance. I’m not in love with The Scholomance. It’s a painful read, and I’ve almost stopped a few times because of the boring inner monologue of the main character.

She’s not relatable, not bright, and unpleasant, but I like the world-building, and the monsters who snatch up and eat students are fascinating and disturbing; definitely good inspiration for how I can craft my own to scare readers, hopefully.

My plans for week four? I need to write about 15k words and build up to the story’s climax; I’m thinking of a fight or death. How’s your NaNoWriMo going? Are you looking for a writing partner? HMU on nanowrimo.org; my username is alinahappyhansen ?

NaNoWriMo2022: End of Week One

Alina H. Hansen Writer & Poet

With a finger of Haku vodka and the rest unsweetened cranberry juice, I type away on my laptop while taking periodic sips of my simple homemade cocktail. It’s supposed to rain, pour today really, but there’s not a whisper of raindrops yet.

I just finished lunch, steaming hot rice topped with tuna and mayo mixed and a sprinkling of Tajín. Is this what happens when you get older, your taste suddenly evolves, and you crave absolute bitterness and savory flavors? I’m not sure. But I am sure that the end of week one of NaNoWriMo went unexpectantly well for me.

For October, I’d been writhing with anxiety, unsure what my upcoming novel would be about. But now, with only a few thousand words down and a fuzzy picture in my head, big surprise, it’s gonna be about witches.

It’s easier than I thought to create something from nothing. The ideas that flow in the back of my head take on an existence of their own. Without careful planning and the millions of compartments that occupy the space between consciousness and my imagination, the hideaway desk that is my mind would be a wreck.

Besides taking an hour to two hours a night to scrap together the minimum word count (or more, if I’m willing), I’ve spent most of my time reading. For the first time in over two years, I have enough time to read and read more.

A Deadly Education (The Scholomance #1) by Naomi Novik

No Nature: New and Selected Poems by Gary Snyder

A Court of Wings and Ruin (Book #3) by Sarah J. Maas

I’m gravitated towards Fantasy recently and slowly spinning around poetry as usual. Nothing changes. This is far from unusual for me. And sadly, with Halloween 2022 now over, I’ve got the rest of San Francisco’s mild yet wet Fall/Winter to look forward to.

The fog hangs low, and there are dead leaves strewn on sidewalks and streets here and there. Walking through Chinatown, the Transamerica Pyramid often comes in and out of view as I walk southbound on Stockton Street. On most days, a good portion of it is hidden by the fog; on others, the soft lighting and bright colors of the century-or-so-old buildings in the forefront create a pleasant contrast.

Yes, there are days when it feels like I’m walking on a Bladerunner set sometimes, and other times, I get the sense that I’m traversing through a mystical city hanging in the balance between the sea and the rest of the land mass that is North America. Somewhere in between, close but also far away.

There’s plenty of inspiration to go around this city and more than enough details to invigorate a fledging novel. Dead baby sharks for sale on a street corner, pigeons with one foot or crumpled toes hoping in the gutter, a white cat in the window of an herbalist shop, hanging roasted ducks…I could go on forever.

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo this year? I want to hear from you. You can connect with me today on nanowrimo.org ~ my username is alinahappyhansen 🙂

Want to get a feel for my novel?

Below you’ll find a link to my WIP’s Pinterest Board visuals and the playlist I’ve been listening to as I write.

Vincent’s Collection of Mystiques ~ Pinterest Board

Spotify Playlist ~ This is Pensees

If you’re participating in NaNoWriMo, I wish you the best of luck!

Prepping for National Novel Writing Month: Recommended Writing Books

Alina H. Hansen Writer & Poet

November is National Novel Writing Month, and it’s a blast! I love the challenge of writing a 50k-word novel in a month, and nanowrimo.org makes the process fun by awarding badges and bringing writing communities together.

Ready to take on National Novel Writing Month? Read on! In this post, I’ll talk about how I prep for NaNoWriMo and provide you with my top two books on writing that I’ve found incredibly useful.

elegant composition of teapot and cup placed on bed with book
Photo by Ioana Motoc on Pexels.com

NaNoWriMo Prep

While I love October and spend most of it celebrating Halloween all month long, I also begin my NaNoWriMo prep. I’ve participated every year since 2018 (the same year I wrote my first novel)! During this time, I reread parts of my favorite writing books, stick with my daily writing routine, and read tons of books.

Every year since 2018’s National Novel Writing Month, I’ve dabbled trying to stretch out a few short stories into novels. However, none of them have gripped me like my first novel (which I’m still meticulously editing). For this year, I’m focusing on story ideas I’ve stashed away that I’ve always wanted to try. As usual, I’m going for something supernatural with a handful of tortured monsters (I can’t help myself).

Recommended Writing Books for National Novel Writing Month

Here are my two favorite writing books I highly recommend. These books are perfect for the seasoned writer or newbie. Check them out!

The Making of a Story: A Norton Guide to Creative Writing

This book is a treasure trove of the how-tos for every single element of creative writing. The story excerpts and exercises are invaluable. I swear that I’ve learned more in Chapter 5: Why You Need to Show and Tell than I did in all the writing courses, I took as an undergraduate. If you love creative writing and want a resource you can dive into head first, order yours today!

Gotham Writers’ Workshop: Writing Fiction

My #1 go-to for fiction writing. I came across this book over five years ago, and since then, it’s remained in my “reading pile” on my bedside table. I can’t count how many times I’ve read this book; each chapter is precious. If you’re looking for a book that provides short chapters and short writing practices, this book is for you!

I hope you find these writing books as helpful as I have for National Novel Writing Month. And if you’d like to recommend some of your favorites, leave a comment below!

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Connect With Me on Nanowrimo.org

Did you enjoy this post? Please like and share or leave a comment below with feedback! I’d love to hear from you, and I wish you happy writing this National Novel Writing Month! I’m always looking for other writers. If you’ve got a profile on nanowrimo.org, feel free to connect with me today! My profile username is alinahappyhansen.

A Poem for My Love: Poetry Mentor

Alina H. Hansen Writer & Poet

Synonymous with romance, poetry is known by most to be a form of communication between lovers. Diving into the depths of adoration, poems can draw on imagery and metaphor to evoke longing. You can convey desire, or even the loss of a loved one in poetry. Like a red red rose, a poem can symbolize love and admiration. So if you’re scratching your head and scrawling “A Poem for My Love” you are not alone.

Gin & Juice and an Obsessed Poet

I’m a poet, a weirdo, and an artist, and I’ve written many love poems for my partner over the years. Poetry I felt was near worthy now lives in hidden places among letters and precious scrapbooks chronicling our life together.

It’s difficult to write poetry, period. But to write poems, say, loves poems for a wife or love poems for a husband may inspire surrender. I’ve thrown out countless poems, shredded scraps, and deleted documents like the FBI was watching because I felt what I wrote was garbage. I’m sure, on some level, it was.

But don’t give up. It’s easy to look up famous love poems and if you’re gutsy, take a crack at writing a rhyming poem, a sonnet, or even a haiku. Doesn’t matter if it’s blank or free verse or just bits and scraps of what you want to say. Write it down, mull over it, make yourself a drink (I’ll take a good pour of gin and a splash of mango juice), and get to it.

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Write a Poem for Your Love and Work on It

Read it over, read your words aloud, mumble them to yourself, try different voices, memorize a few lines and explore where your mind takes you when suddenly you forget what to say next, and something else pops out.

Years ago, Ovid’s love poems were recommended to me when I first started writing love poems. I picked up a used paperback copy and read it front to back. Impressed by the style, vulgar honesty, humor, and true words of deep affection, it’s still one of my favorite collections to reread. Chances are, you’ve been directed to Shakespeare, Robert Burns, and the like, but I don’t have a list for you.

I have something else.

Liked this post? Read ~ Poetry Publication: Sea or Seashore Poetry Anthology

A Poetry Mentor Dedicated to Helping You

Take my advice in this post and do what you want, but if you feel that you need more help. I’m here to work with you on kissing your lips poems. Let’s write a holding you until sunrise poem or worshipping you forever poem.

If you need another set of eyes from a poet, a writer, and someone dedicated to helping you convey how you feel to your loved ones in a poem, connect with me today. As your poetry mentor, we’ll explore together and make your words come alive.

Interested? Check out my Creative Writing Mentor service, which also includes poetry here. You can learn more about my publications, previous readings, and education by visiting my About page. Want more? Check out my Linktr.ee and get a feel for who I am and what I like to write (poetry first, everything else second).

I’ll be here, waiting and ready, popping open a bottle of cheap Rose and skimming poems of Gary Snyder, Maggie Nelson, and Adrienne Rich. See you soon!

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