Sunday 4 November 2012

NaNoWriMo So Far...

To achieve the 50,000 words in one month, bearing in mind November only has 30 days, you need to write an average of 1,666 words a day. Actually, it's 1,666.66666 recurring. So if you write 1,667 a day, you'll get your 50,000 words easy.

Although I have a book that desperately needs editing to resubmit to a publisher, and another returned from the RNA NWS which also needs editing, with everything going on in my life, and dramas that keep adding to it, I couldn't face it. I find editing hard at the best of times, and find it less creative. With the writing of the words you can put anything down and tell the story the way you want to tell it, and how it comes out of your head, down your fingers and on to the screen.

I needed to get that back. I needed my writing mojo. 

I amaze myself that I can stare at the blank screen - that blank piece of electronic paper - and fill it, when I didn't even know where the story was heading. But I hadn't been doing it lately, I've even got out of the habit of reading! What a crime!

Having decided only about a week before NaNo started to actually participate, you can safely say I've done not a lot of brainstorming. But I've had a few stories floating around my head and on my 'plot bunny' list. I update my Onenote folder all the time.

I was going to write a fantasy story, but decided I needed to brainstorm this better as it does need some world building. It would stop the flow during NaNoWriMo as I'd be having to decide too much. Not ideal in writing 50,000 words in 30 days. Therefore I decided to go with a vampire idea that's been harassing me for some time. The world is Earth, just with supernatural creatures, so the world building is less. And I've got a lot of notes on it in Onenote. It doesn't have a title, and I can't work out if Margaret's (that's her name for now) human companion will be her lover in the end - she's very protective of him - or her maker, who she will try to find. He is Soctrates. A Greek vampire, about 1000 years old. He saves her from a fate that would have killed her. Well, technically it does kill her, because she's immortal in the human form, but a vampire.

Yesterday, I should have reached around the 5,000 word mark to be on target. Currently, I am at 3244 words. But to be honest, I'm not worried. The fact that I've written 3244 words in the past three days is far more important than keeping to the target. I would not have written those words if it wasn't for NaNoWriMo. 

I have written everyday, but I forgot to update my NaNoWriMo Page on the second day. Hoping, if the kids allow, for me to get some more done today - a bigger writing session. I'm only 3437 words behind.

Anyone else participating in NaNoWriMo I don't know about and how are you finding it so far? 

6 comments:

  1. I've only written 3200 words in total so far - I'm hoping to get more time next week. Sounds like you're doing well. The vampire story sounds cool!

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    1. I'm worried there is no dialogue... but I can go back and edit/addit that in later I suppose. Just writing it chronologically at the moment. lol! I'm hoping to add another 1000 words later, so I'm not too far behind the target. :D Keep going, too!

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  2. Hi Teresa,
    I'm loving being back in writing mode. Editing made me depressed. Managing my daily words somehow around family life. Keep going girls! Mx

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    1. You and me both then. Yes, editing isn't my favourite bit, I must admit. I think it's because I'm not very confident with it actually. But yeah, it's making me sit down at least and write something. I might not quite get the 1666 words, but I'm getting something written, and it feels sooo good :D Keep going, too!

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  3. A very very slow start but I knew it would be. Because the minute I'd reversed my decision NOT to do NaNo - because I was ahead with my degree work and keeping up with work for,er ...work ;)- the month started to fill up like magic with courses, meetings, extra hours, appointments...aargh. December will probably be deathly quiet by comparison. But isn't that always the way? As you say though, whether you get 1666 words done daily or not, the impetus to keep going is great. So yaaay for us!

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    1. Yes, this is making me sit down and write, which was the main thing. I make sure I get some words done. The last time I did NaNo I was pregnant, and it was when I was writing Fanfic. I steamed ahead of target easily. This year, with everything else going on, I needed to get myself in the writing chair. It's amazing how you do make the time, Alison. (And the housework becomes very unimportant). You can relax in December! lol! Keep going!

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