By this time, in my first and third NaNo years- 2006 and 2008- I was finished with my NaNoWriMo challenge, had passed 50k words.
Right now, I am more behind than I've ever been. The last time I was on track was on day nine at 15k words. I've fallen behind since; in fact, I am currently about a week behind- at a mere 30k. I'm pretty much out of ideas, my characters aren't moving, there is no real plot.
I have an idea of themes, things I want to address, lots of input from my personal life which is the problem and perhaps the solution. It began as a story of fiction- it's a novel-writing month after all. But with all my personal input, it's telling me it's a memoir and I have struggled against it, reluctantly accepting it.
I currently feel like I don't have enough to take me to 50k and am currently considering writing words for another work- pretty much repeating what I did in 2007 where I didn't make the 50k deadline, working on two different novels...or something. And now this year, I had decided to continue working on the one I hadn't done much work on then, and now, find myself in a similar position- on a losing track.
Of course I'm still at a point where I can save this year's NaNo- 6 more days after all, a little less than 20k more words. I would have to do something like 3300 words a day every day until 11:59pm, November 30th. I know that's not particularly difficult- can be done in under 3 hours. If I only knew what the hell to write! Every time I get a starting point now it dries up in under 300 words it seems.
Still, I won't say I'm doomed...yet.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 2, 2009
NaNoWriMo 2009- Day 2
Ok so I managed to knock out some ideas last night, plotted some sections and overall have a better idea of where I'm going with this work.
Thankfully, I am currently right on schedule for the end of day 2 minimum with a little over 6 hours left in the day; in fact, I hope to make 5000 by the end of the day which would put me at a day ahead, and ten per cent done.
At this point, my goals are still quite do-able as the story comes together more bit by bit, piece by piece.
I want to maintain being ahead of the daily minimum, and that would entail being on top of outlining, brainstorming ideas- basically giving myself something to write about. Luckily, the magic that happens with writing still occurs- you start and a porthole opens and things you didn't even know were there crawl out. Your brain starts putting random shit together and makes sense of your bits and pieces.
Thankfully, I am currently right on schedule for the end of day 2 minimum with a little over 6 hours left in the day; in fact, I hope to make 5000 by the end of the day which would put me at a day ahead, and ten per cent done.
At this point, my goals are still quite do-able as the story comes together more bit by bit, piece by piece.
I want to maintain being ahead of the daily minimum, and that would entail being on top of outlining, brainstorming ideas- basically giving myself something to write about. Luckily, the magic that happens with writing still occurs- you start and a porthole opens and things you didn't even know were there crawl out. Your brain starts putting random shit together and makes sense of your bits and pieces.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
NaNoWriMo 2009 and Other News
So today is day one of NaNoWriMo and I'm in the worst position I've ever been in. I have been unable to come up with a new idea, so I've been planning on working on two older ideas- the two stories I worked on for NNWM 2007. Then, I was advised to concentrate on one and accepted this advice as best considering how things turned out in 2007 when I wasn't focused on one idea. However, I still haven't managed to plot much for the one I've chosen- and for me, that is the worst place I can be.
My successful years have been based on a solid general idea and good outlines/planning. I have neither this time around. So today, I will be working on solidifying an idea of where I'm going, and plotting/outlining- basically something I should have already done. Not a great way to start! Especially considering I usually get a headstart on day one by beginning writing around midnight or so and getting a good amount of it in before going to bed so that when I get up and it's still day one, most of the remainder of what I write is gravy.
This is going to be an interesting year.
In other news, I have gotten back one response so far from the seven submissions I made for my short story. Yup, you've guessed it (otherwise there would have been a separate entry about it)- my first rejection! I kind of figured the story wouldn't fit that particular publication though.
I am expecting more rejections but I know someone will pick it up- perhaps not in the first round of folks I submitted it to, but I will find its market.
I also have two more stories just about ready to be submitted so I should have updates regarding those shortly.
My successful years have been based on a solid general idea and good outlines/planning. I have neither this time around. So today, I will be working on solidifying an idea of where I'm going, and plotting/outlining- basically something I should have already done. Not a great way to start! Especially considering I usually get a headstart on day one by beginning writing around midnight or so and getting a good amount of it in before going to bed so that when I get up and it's still day one, most of the remainder of what I write is gravy.
This is going to be an interesting year.
In other news, I have gotten back one response so far from the seven submissions I made for my short story. Yup, you've guessed it (otherwise there would have been a separate entry about it)- my first rejection! I kind of figured the story wouldn't fit that particular publication though.
I am expecting more rejections but I know someone will pick it up- perhaps not in the first round of folks I submitted it to, but I will find its market.
I also have two more stories just about ready to be submitted so I should have updates regarding those shortly.
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