This morning marked the first day of National Novel Writing Month. I was up (per usual) at 5:30, suffering from a Babe Ruth-Butterfinger-Twix hangover. It was slow going - I've been in deep edit mode, and in deep edit mode with another character who 'speaks' in present tense - but I managed to churn out ~1,100 words and will work again tonight. I'm better prepared this year than last - a scene-by-scene outline, considerable pre-writing around my characters, and a new notebook to keep notes. I'll preface every writing session with a 5 minute longhand 'dump' session to get in the mood of my tasked scene. My gameplan? Ten days per character. I'll spend through November 10 focusing on Ben, then switch gears to Kevin (which nicely dovetails with my GOTHAM class submission due date for that character), and wrap up with Phoebe scenes. Of course, I anticipate tangents galore, but it feels good going in with a map.
Looking forward to the luxury of focusing on PURE. A whole 30 days. I'll be posting excerpts, updates, and #fridayflashes.
Write hard, live harder. Peace, Linda
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I like the idea of a 5 minute longhand 'dump' session before writing. I am learning that doing morning pages will probably benefit me during NaNoWriMo (and for all projects throughout the rest of my life).
ReplyDeleteYou realize that we NaNo newbies will be looking up to the seasoned folks (ahem) for inspiration and true butt-kicking. :)
Good luck to you, pure and simple!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you and your writing. I love what you said: Write hard, live harder.
ReplyDeleteI'm off to a late start with nanowrimo because I spent the weekend with my future in-laws. The moments were just too precious getting to know my fiance's parents more. I didn't want to spoil it by whipping out a laptop and ignoring everyone.
Thus, I will write hard today because I lived harder on the weekend.
Go NaNo!
Ah, tangents galore are what make writing fun. It's great when you can surprise your reader. It's even better when you can surprise yourself. :)
ReplyDeleteAll my planning got shot to Hell when I decided at the last minute to go with a different story than planned. Doh! I may end up regretting that.
Good luck!
~jon
Good luck. You're much more prepared than I. I've just had an idea rattling around in my head for a few months. I'm trusting in my subconscious to sort it all out for me.
ReplyDeleteGood luck, sounds like you have a good gameplan.
ReplyDeleteJai
you go go girl.
ReplyDeleteA PURE 30 days.
ReplyDeleteI like that. Plus you have your outline/gameplan.
You're way ahead of me as far as plans go.
I'm winging it ..
Linda you put more planning into NaNo than Eisenhower did for the Normandy Invasion. Good luck with you crazy writing month.
ReplyDeleteWas all that candy from Halloween leftovers?
--John
Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks kiddos - I'll need all the goodlucks you can muster. Erin, the 5 minute dump really works - try it! Off to Nano... need 600 more words... Peace, Linda
ReplyDeleteSounds like a plan! You are off and running my friend! Can't wait for the updates and excerpts. I feel like I've always had a special place in my heart for your PURE project, I just love it and want to see what comes forth!!
ReplyDeleteHats off to you in NaNoWriMo!
Chrys