April ExoWriMo - Word Count Report In

[theexorcistmod]

 April ExoWriMo 

Report in with your word counts!

This entry is for  reporting daily word counts! Every day after you finish writing/creating, please comment with your nickname, the day and the number of words you wrote. See the example below:

Comment to this post and use the following format: 

Subject: Day [date], [your username], [that day's word count]
Example: Day 1, Cutiesonthehorizon, 134 words

If you forget to report in during that day, no worries, post a comment the next day, just report with the date of the previous day in the subject line. 

Please try and use the format mentioned above for the subject line so it'll be easier for us to keep an eye on the word counts. As to the comment itself, feel free to gripe about how hard the words were, or squee about how easily you wrote half a chapter! You can put in your favorite sentence, or add a link to the fic, whatever you feel like:) 

To help you all out a bit, April was decided to be the month of AUs/Crossovers! You're of course welcome to create any kind of content, but if you want to get some inspiration, there are few AU/Fic generators: 

http://writers-den.pantomimepony.co.uk/writers-plot-ideas.php
http://colormayfade.tumblr.com/generator
http://www.springhole.net/writing_roleplaying_randomators/au-idea.htm

Most of all, have fun and don't forget to report in:)


 

Comments

Day 6, Herbeloved82, 1643 words

[herbeloved82]

And they still didn't meet. ^^

Re: Day 6, Herbeloved82, 1643 words

[cutiesonthehorizon]

Nice word count! Well, they haven't met yet, but what you got so far is great:)

Day 5, cutiesonthehorizon, 200 words

[cutiesonthehorizon]

Argh, had just too much work and not enough energy. Even those 200 words were written on my cellphone instead of the computer, sigh.

Re: Day 5, cutiesonthehorizon, 200 words

[cinelitchick]

But it's 200 words you didn't have before. I've been there with the writing on the cellphone. It sucks, but at least it's something.

Day 6, cutiesonthehorizon, 1620 words

[cutiesonthehorizon]

Alas, at least back to writing properly:) And since I didn't leave anything the last two days, here's a longer sample:

'Tomas Ortega. Is he missing?' Marcus Keane repeated his question and Tomas was pulled out of his trance when an eraser hit the back of his head.

"Hey freak, that's you. Wave and stop staring," there was a hiss from the seat behind him and Tomas winced, then managed to wave his hand and croak out: 'Here, sir."

The teacher's eyes narrowed and Tomas felt a pang of regret, knowing he once again messed up. That is until he realized the teacher wasn't glaring at him but at the student sitting right behind him. The one that called him a freak. Tomas blinked.

"Let's make one thing clear, Mr. Jones. No name calling in this class. If you want to swear at your fellow students, I expect it to be in perfect latin, preferably with a two page essay explaining the origin and meaning behind the word. Is that understood?"

The teacher said it calmly with a smile on his face, yet the class went dead silent, because the warm blue eyes held fierce coldness. Tomas swallowed and Andy Jones behind him stuttered an apology. The teacher grinned, the ice gone from his eyes as if it was never there in the first place. Tomas could almost see the wave of relief rushing through the class.

Re: Day 6, cutiesonthehorizon, 1620 words

[cinelitchick]

Very nice word count! Aw! Marcus still has Tomas' back. I'm really looking forward to spending time with Mr. Keane and young Tomas.

Day 6, cinelitchick, 730 words

[cinelitchick]

Not too shabby considering I didn't have a lot of time today. Tomorrow's word count may be on the smaller side, too. Not a lot of dialogue, but more world building.

Today's sample:

[Marcus'] two-story house had a perfectly acceptable second floor with a bedroom, but he stopped using the upstairs after Andrew Kim. He felt vulnerable sleeping up there. The ground floor made him feel more secure. He tossed and turned the first few nights after the botched exorcism, waking up in a cold sweat just like tonight. The night terrors came regardless of where he slept, but there was something soothing about sleeping near the front the door. He couldn’t explain it. It’s not like he just threw a mattress down on the floor. There was a simple frame he bought to toss the mattress onto. He had some standards.

Re: Day 6, cinelitchick, 730 words

[ide_cyan]

Big house for Marcus!

If you don't mind another grammatical suggestion, I think the verb in "It’s not like he just threw a mattress" should be in the past perfect, i.e. "It wasn't like he had just thrown a mattress", and also for "there was a simple frame he had bought", since those are actions that are conditional or take place before the rest of the events (narrated in the simple past tense) in the paragraph. Take it with a grain of salt if you will, since English is my second language (and I make mistakes in French, too). If you'd rather I didn't annoy you with unsolicitated betaing I'll stop!

Days 5 and 6, ide_cyan, 0 words

[ide_cyan]

Not counting tweets because really I've been slacking off. Meanwhile I tried making an icon using online tools. Pretty basic, but if I write stuff I'll have a reason to use it.

And I thought I'd share my goofy theory comparing Marcus Keane to The Littlest Hobo from a few days ago, to compete with all the "Marcus is a cat" memes. I mean, yes, Marcus is very cat-like, but! Have you seen The Littlest Hobo?! Big shepherd dog roaming around helping people, saving little kids, but refusing to stay with people who love him? I made screencaps from an episode on YouTube where he meets a friendly forest ranger (like Peter) to support my case.
https://twitter.com/ide_cyan/status/981745676907352065
And left a comment on crossroadscastiel's tumblr:
http://crossroadscastiel.tumblr.com/post/172610346197/marcus-keane-is-the-littlest-hobo-gods-voice

The lyrics from that show's opening credits even mention a hat and a voice that might be God's in Marcus's case:

There’s a voice that keeps on calling me
Down the road is where I’ll always be

Every stop I make, I’ll make a new friend
Can’t stay for long, just turn around and I’m gone again.

Maybe tomorrow, I’ll want to settle down,
Until tomorrow, I’ll just keep moving on.

Down this road, that never seems to end,
Where new adventure, lies just around the bend.

So if you want to join me for a while
Just grab your hat, come travel light – that’s hobo style.

Maybe tomorrow, I’ll want to settle down,
Until tomorrow, the whole world is my home.

Day 7, cutiesonthehorizon, 1678

[cutiesonthehorizon]

Slowly oh so slowly moving along:)


There was also something about Tomas that intrigued him from the first moment they met. The way the boy was watching him, the way tension seemed to leave his body every time Marcus came closer. It made Marcus wonder what made Tomas so tense and nervous in the first place. His gut was telling him something was the matter and that he should be paying attention and Marcus learned a long time ago to listen to his gut. Instincts and God were the two things that often saved Marcus' hide.

"I miss my old club in Mexico," Tomas admitted after a minute. "I miss my old friends." There was sadness in his voice and Marcus had a feeling Tomas wasn't talking just about his friends, but about his whole life, about the family he's lost. Marcus could relate on that matter quite well.

Re: Day 7, cutiesonthehorizon, 1678

[cinelitchick]

This is so good! Poor Tomas. I feel for him. Good thing he has Mr. Keane on his side.

Day 3, 4000ish words

[vshendria]

Technically, I wrote these words yesterday but I forgot to report. I continued writing the hurt/comfort hypothermia fic. Draft One complete!

Re: Day 3, 4000ish words

[cinelitchick]

Congrats! That word count is amazing. ❤️

Day 8, Herbeloved82, 1642 words

[herbeloved82]

What? Do You want to know if they had met at least? No, of course they didn't.This story will kill me, for sure.

Re: Day 8, Herbeloved82, 1642 words

[cinelitchick]

Haha! I'm guessing another 2,000 words before they meet. 😉 Good word count!

Day 7, cinelitchick, 769 words

[cinelitchick]

I didn't have time to post this yesterday. I was able to finish the scene I started previously, so I'll take that as a win.

A sample:

“Why leave?” The priest could feel he was crossing a border he didn't fully know if he wanted to cross. But he felt compelled to engage his companion. The devil you know.
“An exorcism did not end well. A young boy named Gabriel. He had integrated and I couldn't bring him back. It shattered me. I knew I wanted to help people, but I could no longer do so as a man of the cloth. I always had an interest in the mind. It is partly what drew me to becoming an exorcist. So I left the parish, got my Ph.D. and opened my own practice inside my home in Baltimore.”
Doctor Ortega took a few bites of his dish. “Why teaching?”
“It pays the rent,” Marcus quipped.
“That’s all? And here I thought we were becoming friends.”
Marcus took another bite. “I don't find you that interesting.”
A knowing smile played on the other man’s features. “You will.”

Re: Day 7, cinelitchick, 769 words

[vshendria]

Oh, geez. Hannibal crossover?

Day 8 (?), Vshendria, 100 words

[vshendria]

I didn't do much but did tinker with my existing fic a bit and wrote a little (by hand in my notebook) of Chapter Three of We Glory in Our Sufferings. Samyaza is monologueing like all good villains.

Re: Day 8 (?), Vshendria, 100 words

[cinelitchick]

I do have a soft spot for a villain who knows how to monologue.

Day 8, cinelitchick, 736 words

[cinelitchick]

Another smaller word count, but it's fine. I'm just happy I wrote something. Plus I fleshed out an earlier part of the story.

Today's sample:

Then the lead exorcist did something unexpected. He started conversing with [Andrew] Kim in Korean for a few minutes, switched to Aramaic for a question (“How many languages do you speak?”) and then, just as smoothly, reverted to Korean. Marcus finally switched back to English, apologizing for being rude to Bennett and Kim’s wife, Nicole. The priests left the residence a few minutes later. Once they were on the road, Marcus looked at Bennett in the driver’s seat.
“You caught that right?”
Bennett nodded, not taking his eyes off the road. “‘More languages than you are even aware that exist.’”
Marcus snorted. “Didn’t even blink. Just kept prattling on in Korean right after, as I did. Do you think he realized his mistake?”
They came to a stop at a red light. Bennett looked at his passenger. “For everyone’s sake, I sincerely hope not.”

Re: Day 8, cinelitchick, 736 words

[cutiesonthehorizon]

Consistent word count, heee :D Nice thing, tricking the demon. Once again love the last two paragraphs:D

Day 9, Starrylizard, 457words

[starrylizard]

Um, sorry I'm a late start here.
I've written 457 words of plot ideas for an 'EXORCISTS IN SPAAAACE' AU. I'm loving the idea, but not sure how to plot it. :)

Re: Day 9, Starrylizard, 457words

[cutiesonthehorizon]

In space AU!!!!!! Oh, how I love that idea that you shared with me!

Day 8, cutiesonthehorizon, 1743 words

[cutiesonthehorizon]

1283 words of the Peter/Marcus adopt Tomas AU and 460 words of a shameless Tomas whump, cause I was in the mood, ehehe.

A short sample from the first fic:

"Estúpido, tan estúpido!" Tomas cursed at himself even as he was running away from Marcus. He had class but instead headed towards the boys bathroom, happy that at least the recess was over and the hall was clear. Falling inside one of the stalls, his hands fumbled with the lock. He slammed the toilet close and sit down heavily, head in hands.

Tomas closed his eyes, then snapped them wide open as violent images flashed behind his eyelids and sick taunting sounded inside his head. Swallowing, Tomas fought back the nausea. This wasn't how it usually went.

Re: Day 8, cutiesonthehorizon, 1743 words

[vshendria]

I want both of those! Poor baby Tomas!

Day 9 (?), vshendria 200

[vshendria]

Did a lot of tweaking of the hypothermia fic today but I don't know what that works out to in words. So I'll call it 200, because I did write a little bit of new dialogue.

Re: Day 9 (?), vshendria 200

[cinelitchick]

Nice! Sounds like you were productive. :)

Day 9, cinelitchick, 795 words

[cinelitchick]

I finished the scene I started last night. I miss writing a scene a night. Hopefully, I can make that happen again soon. For now, this is good progress and I will take it happily.

Today's sample:

“I have no immediate wish to see him exorcising demons — not in the shape he is in. His confidence was shaken with the Andrew Kim case. That said, nothing would make me happier than to see him back to form and saving lives the only way he knows how.” He stopped walking, looking at Mouse directly. “He is God’s vessel. His will flows through Marcus. He has felt His touch; knows He walks with him in every step he takes; speaks His words when performing exorcisms.”

“Marcus spoke His words when he was giving Communion and delivering Mass and hearing Confession, too,” she said, her words laced with venom. “At least inside a church, he’s not a weapon.”

“No, he’s just a lamb who was almost slaughtered,” Bennett fired back.

Re: Day 9, cinelitchick, 795 words

[starrylizard]

I don't know what's going on, but seems intense. Yay, words!

Day 10, Starrylizard, 602 words

[starrylizard]

Okay, started writing bits of my Space AU

Excerpt: As the connection cut out and the screen shifted back to an image of the space outside the ship, Tomas sat down heavily. He tugged at his unruly dark hair, ran his hands down his face and through his beard and he cursed. He cursed loudly and fluently in both Spanish and English at this latest piece of news. A Preacher on The Rising Star. They’d always been recommended, but he’d resisted carefully, and none had been forced upon him. He thought the meteor that had sent them home six months earlier than expected with barely enough in finder’s fees to pay the lease was his bad luck for the year. Seemed he’d been wrong. He really hoped his abuela wasn't right about bad things coming in threes.

Re: Day 10, Starrylizard, 602 words

[cinelitchick]

Oh I like this! This is good! Keep going! =O)

Day 9, cutiesonthehorizon, 706 words

[cutiesonthehorizon]

I didn't get to write for the AU I wanted as the mood just wasn't right. Instead I added a page to the Tomas whump that will probably never see the light of the interwebs lol. But it is Exorcist, so it totally counts :D

Re: Day 9, cutiesonthehorizon, 706 words

[cinelitchick]

Sounds good to me. ;)

Day 10, cutiesonthehorizon, 1037 words

[cutiesonthehorizon]

A change of POV saved the day, lol. Here's a bit of a sample:

When he returned home that evening, he told Peter what happened during dinner.

"Are you sure it wasn't just a fit? Maybe you're just projecting." What Peter meant to say was that maybe Marcus missed his job so much he was starting to imagine stuff. But Peter didn't voice it out loud and one look from Marcus made him raise his hands in a sign of surrender.

"No offense, love. Not like I wasn't seeing enemies behind corners once I came home from the tour."

Marcus' face relaxed a bit.

"I know what you mean, Peter. But this... this was different. Something about this kid just feels... off. I think he really needs help." Marcus looked right into Peter's eyes, hoping he would understand. "Or whatever it is that has its hands on him...will win."

Peter sighed and squeezed Marcus' hand.

"You know I'll support you in whatever you want to do. I just... don't want to see you get hurt."

Hearing that sent a warm rush of love through Marcus' body and he leaned in to kiss Peter on the mouth.

"I love you too," he whispered and knew he would do anything to make sure that feeling never disappeared.

Re: Day 10, cutiesonthehorizon, 1037 words

[cinelitchick]

Awwww!!! I love this! I love Peter and Marcus anyway, so maybe I'm completely biased but whatever. XD More please!

Day 10, thenbringmeback, 2760 words

[thenbringmeback]

Sorry for the lack of updates! Between being sick and moving to Virginia, I've been busy as hell! I was shooting for a much higher word count today to make up for my missed days, but I'll hit that mark eventually ahaha.

I didn't really get anything exciting written this time around, so no snippet, but hopefully I'll have a little teaser tomorrow night! Hope everyone is doing well. :)

Re: Day 10, thenbringmeback, 2760 words

[cinelitchick]

Hot damn! Look at that word count! That is nothing to sniff at. If you keep hitting marks like that, you'll be where you want me to be in no time. Well done, sir! :)

Day 10, cinelitchick, 693 words

[cinelitchick]

I wrote a full scene! And I finished a chapter! Progress.

Today's sample:

Marcus surprised himself. He hadn’t planned on revealing something so private he hadn’t fully accepted it on a conscious level.

“Yet you are only truly happy when you are an exorcist. Your true self exposed for the world to see.”

“Yes.” Marcus looked at the doctor. He was good. He was very good. No wonder Mouse recommended him. Sure there was an excellent chance, Marcus supposed, he wasn’t the closed book he presumed he was. Somehow he knew that wasn’t the case. Doctor Ortega was in tune with him — unnervingly so. Does the pendulum swing both ways?, he wondered.

“We are more similar than perhaps either of us would like to admit. Both of us exorcists. Both of us men of faith. Prone to helping those in need. I wonder how far this goes?”

“Guess we’ll find out.” Marcus was thinking about their unofficial sessions, which they were due to start tomorrow evening.

“I guess we will.” Doctor Ortega was not.

Re: Day 10, cinelitchick, 693 words

[cutiesonthehorizon]

Ah, intriguing:) And congrats on finishing a chapter! It always feels good, doesn't it? :D

Days 7-10, ide_cyan, some research

[ide_cyan]

A few scattered notes, some more research, not much progress. I mean, I learned stuff about Maniema province (like where the diocese is located in relation to the parish, thanks Google Maps), but if Bennett left Punia when he was about 11, before the First Congo War in the mid-90s, to be educated (somewhere in Europe?), I really don't want to write scenes of him as a kid thinking about the political situation in then-Zaire. And that still leaves a lot of fill-in-the-blanks. Like, how the hell does a Cardinal drop a kid off to be educated in a different country (private Catholic school? adoption by a local family?). Did Bennett learn to fight against bullies at a boarding school, or later, with the Swiss Guard to better protect the Pope?

It would however make sense that he could have lost his sister if he tried to find her when he went back the DRC after there had been two major wars in the country.

Re: Days 7-10, ide_cyan, some research

[cutiesonthehorizon]

Ow, Bennett's past looks more grim the more details you uncover! Good job on the research and so many new questions arising. I really hope they would give a bit more info on Bennett in season 3.

Day 9 (I think). 1900 words.

[gimmesomeloki]

Things are heating up. I'm crap at picking excerpts but try this one on for size:

Tomas winces at the memory of the festering bite on his hand--Casey Rance, it seems like a century ago. Reluctantly he allows Mouse to clean and dress the slash on his head. She doesn't have a scratch on her, and it's a little odd after his time with Marcus, who always seemed to be a mass of cuts and bruises. He never really thought about how physical Marcus is, until he came to work with Mouse, who fights like a mongoose, landing blows with cool precision and always dancing out of reach before the enemy can touch her.

Cool--that's the word. Marcus is a smoldering mass of coals, always ready to flare up, but Mouse is more like a north wind. Tomas wonders about her relationship with Marcus, but the cold blast he'd met with the only time he broached the subject discourages him from asking.

He falls back on habit. "I thought I could save him," he says in the confessional tones he's always used with Marcus. "I should have listened to you." This is where Marcus either goes into a lecture or wraps a comforting hand around the back of his neck. All right, once or twice smacked him in the back of the head, but that's not the point.

Mouse tapes off the bandage and says crisply, "Perhaps you'll think better of it next time," and begins neatly packing away the gear. Tomas approaches the truck and she says, without looking up, "I'll drive."

Re: Day 9 (I think). 1900 words.

[ide_cyan]

I love that icon. Impressive word count!

(Speaking of winds makes me think of the Simoom...)

Day 11, Starrylizard, 1122 words

[starrylizard]

Two more scenes for the Space AU.

Excerpt: The Preacher continued to roll the fruit around in his hands, seemingly incapable of stillness and Tomas felt his eyes drawn to the repetitive movement, before he consciously brought his gaze back up to meet the other man’s blue eyes.

“What makes you think I need your help? We’ve managed so far without a Preacher on board.”

“Or a Seeker,” Marcus commented. “How is that possible? Unless someone has the gift but isn’t registered. Do you plot the course yourself, Tomas?” The man’s gaze grew piercing, but Tomas refused to look away.

“Not all ships have a Seeker, Marcus. Maybe we’re just good at what we do.” Tomas kept his voice level. He was fishing. There was no way he could know about his abilities.

Re: Day 11, Starrylizard, 1122 words

[cutiesonthehorizon]

This is so gooooooood! I want so much more of it, heeee

Day 11, cutiesonthehorizon, 1367

[cutiesonthehorizon]

Not really that much happening, mostly just a filler, but have a sample anyway:D

Tomas shook his head, annoyed.

"I can't even get a damn job flipping burgers! I tried that last month and ended up almost burning down the joint!"

Marcus could see Tomas was starting to spiral. He automatically reached out, putting his hand on the nape of the boy's shoulder and it was as if someone flipped the switch. Tomas' eyes went a bit wide but his breathing calmed down.

"Relax. No one is asking you to pay for anything. I'm sure the school would be more than happy to help out with the fees, seeing as you would be representing them. I won't comment on the burger joint, because I'm a menace in the kitchen and managed to burn down water." At that Marcus grinned and was heartened to see a start of a smile appearing on Tomas' own face.

"I know the thought of something happening in the middle of the competition is scary. But you can't live your life in fear and let good opportunities slide just for maybes."

Re: Day 11, cutiesonthehorizon, 1367

[starrylizard]

I repeat myself, but awww.

Day 11, cinelitchick, 1062 words

[cinelitchick]

Another day, another scene. This time we flashback to just before the incident that kicked off this crazy ride.

Today's sample:

“Hey hey hey! You better be going upstairs to light a fire under your brothers’ butts. Breakfast is nearly ready and they need to be at the bus stop in thirty minutes!” she called out as Verity nodded her head while she exited.

Nicole turned towards Andrew. “I’m going to have to go up there, aren’t I?”
He chuckled as he moved pancakes off the griddle and onto waiting plates. “Most likely. Can you put these on the table?”

“Sure.” She took two plates stacked with hot, fluffy goodness and placed them where the kids would sit. Then went back to counter and grabbed two more plates as Andrew placed the last of the pancakes onto most of the remaining plates.

When Nicole’s back was turned, he looked down next to him and saw her. Little Grace, who looked up at him with a big smile and bigger eyes. Andrew swallowed and turned his attention back to the stove, where he removed the pan of sausage links from the burner and turned off the equipment. He dumped the links onto two paper towels and folded the towels over the meat to absorb the excess grease. Finally he dumped the links onto the last plate, which he handed to Nicole with a smile. She smiled and kissed him.

“I’m going to kill those kids.”

He laughed uncomfortably. Grace was still next to him; he could feel her presence. She didn’t exist. This he knew, yet there she was by his side.

“You okay?” Nicole asked. “You’re acting weird and you’re a little pale.” She sighed, a note of concern creeping into her voice. “I hope you’re not coming down with something. The last thing we need is an infected house.”

Re: Day 11, cinelitchick, 1062 words

[cutiesonthehorizon]

I'm.... creeped out by Grace. And also hungry. Now I need pancakes...