It’s November 3, and I’m already stopping my NaNoWriMo expedition for this year. Not to worry, fellow writers, I’m not abandoning my project—just reevaluating.
This year, I tried to be something I’m not: a pantster. For those of you who don’t know, a “pantster” is someone who writes their novel without planning before hand. They fly by the seat of their pants, if you will.
Continue reading “Why I’m halting my NaNoWriMo novel already”
I’ve made a mug of coffee and brought my computer to the lounge, where I’m using dry-erase markers on a board to set up character outlines. It’s snowing outside, but I have fuzzy socks on. I’ll probably order a gluten-free pizza later, with barbecue sauce not tomato sauce, and of course chicken, double cheese, onions and pineapple.
I’m falling in love with the first line of my novel, and my characters are showing me how awesome they really are.
Such is the life of a writer.
-HRG
If you’re participating in NaNoWriMo, you’ve probably succumbed to the “I can push this off” or “I think that’s good for today.” I know I have. I’m actually so embarrassed about my word count I won’t even share it here. (EEEKK…it’s really that bad!)
Don’t fear! There’s always a way to get back on track.
Two Twitter accounts that really help to keep you on tack are @NaNoWriMo and @NaNoWriMoSprints.
NaNoWriMo Sprints tweets out short challenges to keep you writing and to keep writer’s block from setting in.
Here’s a few of their tweets from today:
@NaNoWriMo is usually tweeting out encouraging words and updates on their fundraising goals and merchandise.
Both good follows if you’re a NaNoWriMo writer!
-HRG
So I’ve done just a phenomenal job at NaNoWriMo so far, and by that I mean I haven’t started yet. OH JOY. I have my ideas down, I just haven’t sat down to write yet, which is weird for me because I procrastinate by writing. So now I’m actually doing work and stressing out because I haven’t started my novel yet! AHHH!
Anyone else having this problem? Other NaNoWriMo problems? Let’s chat, novelists!
-HRG
This is a great piece on, how to, well, murder your darlings, as Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch said.
In the world of being a writer, there are many opportunities to join communities with other writers. Perhaps the biggest is NaNoWriMo.
If you’re unfamiliar with NaNoWriMo, you can click here to go to the website and learn more. Basically, NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month, and writers from all over the country commit to the goal of writing a novel of 50,000 words during the month of November. There are a few rules and stipulations, such as not writing anything before November 1st, but I’ll let you explore those on the website.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about NaNoWriMo and if I should participate this year. I really want to, and I have an idea, I’ve just never completed one, and I always feel like a failure.
Now that I’ve said that, though, I’m starting to think that I can’t ever let that stop me and I’ll probably write anyway.
Are you participating? Excited about your idea and want to share it? Are you a NaNoWriMo veteran or newbie? Comment and let’s discuss!
-HRG
