Showing posts with label NaNoWriMo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NaNoWriMo. Show all posts
It's that time of year. November is coming, and NaNoWriMo is upon us. After taking part in NaNoWriMo last year, I learnt a lot from the experience and decided to offer some advice to the newcomers taking on the task this year. Writing is such an intricate task, and everyone's writing process differs significantly. There's no set way of writing a novel. Some prefer to create outlines of everything they've ever written. Others prefer to write the whole story in chronological order. And the rest? Well, we tend to write the whole thing out of order and pray to God is comes together - sooner rather than later!
I truly encourage every single one of you to take part in this - weather you write 50,000 words or even 5000. There's a real spirit and dedication that comes from taking part in this event, and it's so worth the pain and tears. I encourage you to make this time your own, and use it to your advantage. So my fellow writers, without further ado, here a few ways you can prepare for this year's NaNoWriMo!
- No matter how many times you think you can't write anymore, there is always something to put down on paper. Maybe it's a random sentence that you can't find room for just yet in your story. Write it down, and it'll make sense in time.
- Who says you can't leave pages blank and continue on with the rest of the novel? Writer's block can only ease itself - in small doses. If it isn't working for you, move on and come back later. Give that section a break.
- It doesn't matter if you can't put your thoughts down perfectly on paper the way you want to, all that matters its down on paper. Ready to be edited.
- Editing is everything. It will make your raw ingredients sound like perfection. You would never have even known what it came from!
Despite not reaching my intended word count, I couldn't be more happier with the results. I am one step closer to finishing my novel, and two steps closer to Christmas! I may even participate in new year's NaNoWriMo. So until next year, folks!
Fellow NaNoWriMo-ers, tell me your thoughts? How did you find this year's ultimate month of writing? Let's talk!
Popping out 1000 words per day, without planning most of what I'm trying to say is difficult. Much more difficult than Week One - where I exhausted the surface ideas I had, and Week Two where I filled in the missing gaps between those plot lines. I really appreciate the ideals of this month, but I miss the writing without pressure of reaching a word count. And the feeling of disappointment if I don't. So from now on, instead of demanding 1000 words per day to reach the word count, I'm just going to try to write however much I can daily for the duration of NaNoWriMo.
Can anyone else relate? Fellow NaNoWriMo-ers, how you finding the challenge?
Throughout this process - when I've actually had the opportunity to write-, I've found it really hard not to edit for a number of reasons. Editing is where the magic happens, where words that initially have no meaning or just don't run smoothly become lyrically awesome. Where raw ideas are polished and primed. It really is like music to the ears, when you hear those words climb off the page and perfectly encapsulate the moments you see enfolding before you. And that magic does not happen the first time round! This je ne sais quoi happens the second-third or even fourth time around, where you're whizzing through the words, and polishing the raw material into a masterpiece - prepared to wow the reader. It's so hard for me not to edit during this experience, because editing adds so much more value (and sometimes more words too!). It's where a simple expression can become legendary - worthy of being quoted one day. But without the foundation of words on the page, editing is not possible. It simply can't happen. That is one of the most important lessons I've learnt along the way, and is one I hope to remember long after the end of NaNoWriMo 2014.
For all of you participating in NaNoWriMo, have you been feeling the same pinch? Let's talk about our experiences!
In the past, I've always been put off with participating as November is literally one of busiest times of the year for me - with essay writing, deadlines, upcoming Christmas and birthday plans. But this year - as a last minute decision - I thought I'd put those excuses aside and at least try. Honestly what's the worst that could happen? I told myself, 'Instead of trying to reach the goal of 50,000 words, I'll aim for 30,000. 1000 words per day give or take. That seems manageable.' And so far, it's been going pretty well. I made it through the week with almost 7000 words right under my belt. To say I'm feeling good is an understatement, but ... it did not come easy I'll tell you! This is literally the thought process I went through this week ...
Day One: A proud 1000 words - yay. I'm off to a good start. I'll have myself a little snack.
Day Two: Just about reached 2000. A little bit trickier than yesterday, but I got there. Awesome!
Day Three: I've got the urge to major edit everything I've just written, and I don't know if I can shake it. Must resist ... must resist ...
Day Four: I'll try and get a few words in before bed ... I'll just nap for two seconds ... just resting the eyes ... zzzzzz
Day Five: Gotta make up for yesterday. Double take; I got this. Sorted. Not as poetically awesome as day one though ... Editing will make this all sound awesome in the end ...
Day Six: Can't think of what to say ... Guess I'll skip this scene and move onto the next ... and the next ...
Day Seven: Finally, the scene I've been waiting to write forever has arrived ... let the juiciness begin!
Overall, I'm really happy with the experience and enjoying how it's going so far. Can anyone else relate? If you're taking part in this year's NaNoWriMo, tell me how it's going. I'd love to hear from you all!
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