Yesterday I received an E-mail reminding me It's almost NaNoWriMo time. That is National Novel Writing Mouth. You're suppose to write at least a 50,000 word novel in the mouth of November. For more info http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/whatisnano
It may seem a little early but now is the time to start thinking about it. You can't start it before Nov One but you can have notes. Any type of novel and even a couple not so novels, but still 50,000 words. More info on that at the site.
They have online groups you can join and may have in person groups in your area. All kinds of good stuff there to help you.
I have written two novels that way and I'm thinking of doing it again. I have a space opera idea that has been floating around in my head for quite a few months and there more UF and/or paranormal ideas I have too.
Posted by mythique890 (Member # 8586) on :
I'm thinking about doing NaNo. I've heard of it, but this would be my first time participating. I don't really have any ideas right now, though. I mean, sort of, but nothing developed enough to start on.
Posted by Natej11 (Member # 8547) on :
It would be a pretty cool idea to get a Hatrack group going for it. We could cheer each other on and talk about plot and all that, and maybe at the end of the month we could swap chapters or that sort of thing.
Posted by Wordcaster (Member # 9183) on :
I wish I could pause life and partake in NaNoWriMo. In fact, I am settling in on my next novel idea and have roughed out a cursory draft of the prologue and start to the first chapter.
Alas, children, work, other responsibilities leave me only the time for 20% of the goal.
Posted by pdblake (Member # 9218) on :
I won't be doing it. I try to write at least 1k a day anyway, and usually manage more, but I like to come up for air and actually spend time with the wife and kids.
If I didn't have the day job, maybe.
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
LD, thanks for posting this reminder.
I may do this.
50k a month is a blistering pace, but I'm a decent first drafter, so as long as I have my outline ready, I may make it.
Axe
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Last time there was a hatrack group among the NaNo groups and a NaNo group among the hatrack groups.
Hmmm, I wonder if the Nano hatrack group is still up or would we have to start a new one?
And I need check the Nano Group for people in my area.
I understand about the time situation. That is why I debated both times and decided almost at the last moment. The first time anyway, I forget about last year but I think it was closer to the opening deadline. Anyway: I had to sacrifice most of my short story writing, doing crits, restricted my hatrack time. I also did some work at work which helped. I barely got over the 50,000, the last week of Nov.
I will add that most people who signed up for it made it. In fact a couple of us went over last year- 70,000 or 80,000 words.
[This message has been edited by LDWriter2 (edited September 25, 2011).]
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
I signed up. I'm Axeminister if anyone wants to buddy me.
I thought I'd go with a different name this time.
Axe
Posted by redux (Member # 9277) on :
I'm thinking about trying Nanowrimo again. Last year was a laughable disaster. I'm hoping I will fare better this year.
If there is a Hatrack group I wouldn't mind joining it. Even if I don't meet the word count requirement I will definitely cheer others on
Posted by KayTi (Member # 5137) on :
If I don't get my next novel written between now and then, I'll be in on Nano. I'll be in one way or another, I suppose, as I'd just have to come up with another idea if I write this one in advance. I've done Nano since 2007 and have been really happy with the results. Usually writing is so solitary, but with nanowrimo there's all sorts of other people participating, there are word sprints to be had (and I usually win those because I type really fast, winning is good!) there's the general camaraderie, and because November is not a month full of nothing, plenty of commiseration around family pressures and life pressures and the like.
Nano has given me the opportunity to write 4 of my 5 currently completed novels, and the fifth I only wrote because I knew I could due to nanowrimo (and wrote it in 40 days because I could.
So yes, count me in. you can usually find my on nano with the same handle - KayTi.
Posted by Teraen (Member # 8612) on :
Even if I had the time to dedicate a solid month of only writing, I don't like the concept of NaNoWriMo because I am too much of a perfectionist to freewrite in that vein.
However, maybe I'll use it as a goal to finally get my full synopsis done.
Posted by Rhaythe (Member # 7857) on :
Year 3 for me. I'm in. Outline's even already written.
Posted by Wylde (Member # 9628) on :
Not sure how I'm going to fit this in but I need the motivation so I signed up. I'll join a group here or there.
Wylde is my name there as well if you want to add me. Good luck all!
Posted by redux (Member # 9277) on :
I forgot to mention that I am redux over at the Nanowrimo site as well. Feel free to add me - I will also add you guys to my buddy list.
Cheers!
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Added everyone but Rhaythe who isn't Rhaythe over there.
Axe
Posted by Elan (Member # 2442) on :
I want to take the challenge, but I have a non-fiction book in me that needs to come out first. Don't suppose they'd allow that? If not, I'll just have to plod along and pretend I'm in the race.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Elan, read their rules and suggestions. I think they may allow something, memoirs or some such but it's been a year since I read the rules, I could misremember.
Posted by RoxyL (Member # 9096) on :
I think I'm in for this year as well. I've learned a thing or two about outlining since last time and plan to come prepared. If you want to add me, I'm RoxyL there, too.
Since we did it last year, are we automatically enrolled this year? At a quick glance I didn't see a new enroll button, though I can still access my account from last year.
Thanks. This is going to be crazy fun.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Oops, I've gotten myself in a pickle.
Still thinking of doing it but now I have half a dozen ideas to choose from.
I mentioned the space opera but I recalled there's an epic fantasy that has been floating around in my head for almost as long. I know the beginning and I've thought about doing from the POV of a character who isn't the big hero... like Frodo. My MC will be one of four to seven people on a journey to reach a location where they will be able to save the day. Each person will do something to save the day but there's usually one main guy/gal who has something very important to do. So my MC won't be him/her. But since he can talk to dragons he will still be important. And I may have one of those four to seven get killed and/or be permanently injured.
There's also the Angel novel sort of kinda of maybe along the same lines of Thomas E. Sniegoski 's Remy books. I originally came up with the idea during Buffy but have slightly modified the idea since reading the Remy books. I have a great opening scene for it but I'm kinda of not sure if I should make him forget he's an angel or not. At first.
I got a new idea for a half angel character tonight who has to learn who and what he really is. Sounds like a YA book to me.
and There was one or two other ideas.
But I have a month to decide.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
I'm out this year. Can't afford to commit to the pace. Everything is still in upheaval here, anyway. AND, I've decided I have to do a lot more thinking about what I want to write.
Posted by Rhaythe (Member # 7857) on :
quote:Added everyone but Rhaythe who isn't Rhaythe over there.
Oops. Username is "rdrhoads".
Posted by Unwritten (Member # 7960) on :
Will this really be my fourth year doing Nanowrimo? I guess it will. Wow how time flies. That's 3 novels I'd never have written if I hadn't done it. Only one good one, but the other two have story lines that might be worth reviving someday.
Unfortunately I didn't finish last year, so I'm determined to do it this year. Our house has been for sale forever (or at least since April), and I can't imagine a better way to make it sell then to commit to a project of this scale. (Anyone want to bet me that we get an offer right before Halloween?)
This morning I woke up with the first 13 lines for the novel completely ready to go. Hopefully they'll still be there next month.
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
I'm thinking about it, I need that kind of workout for my writing muscle.
Posted by nirele (Member # 9634) on :
I'm in. This is the only thing that seems to get me writing consistently, so I might as well!
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Thought of three more ideas. One is a space opera but deals with a militia type of force. Even though a certain planet is in a larger star nation it's on the outskirts so rarely sees any of the space navy. They have their own small space force.
Or a fantasy where the group goes on a epic journey like Lord of the Rings but set in contemporary times. Don't think I've seen a lot of those.
Or a SO with a newly minted captain of a small warship who has a family tradition to uphold even though he's not the best student, hence the small warship.
It would probably by good for me to do it this year. I seem to be in a writing slump. I do some at work but at home I tend to play around too much and end up with ten to twenty minutes for writing. Not enough time to finish a novel and revise a story for WotF. For some strange, unknown reason it's hard to get back into the habit of writing instead of playing. Actually, I think I know part of the reason.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Hey we are down to a hand full of days. I still haven't quite made up my mind even though I think I know which idea to do even though that is subject to change. Well, actually I guess I did make my mind by accident.
They revamped the NaNo site and once I found the group,on the revamped forums, for my area I more or less promised I would work hard to attend the kick off party. Won't have time for pizza but I can say hi to some and see who is returning and who is new.
I participated one year and accomplished the goal, but I've never been able to do much with all those words. Still, it was a fun exercise. I'll probably do it again some day.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Okay I started my novel. Not getting very far so far but I'm getting back to it soon.
Only 1800 some words. But I am working on chapter one on my laptop and two on my desktop. did that because of circumstances. I wanted to do most of it on my laptop but my wife was using the table for her crafts and I needed to write so I decided to do the next chapter on my desk computer. Never wrote a novel like that before.
Posted by Heresy (Member # 1629) on :
Hey, thought I'd see what all my fellow Hatrackers doing NaNo are up to. I hope everyone's efforts are going well.
I'm going to give myself a pat on the back. I just hit 25k, though the book itself isn't anywhere near halfway done. It still feels good to reach the halfway to goal point before the mid-point of the month. I'm sticking with the standard goal for this year, since it's my first doing NaNo, but I may have to up it next year at this rate, just to challenge myself.
How is everyone else doing so far? Any successes/challenges to report at this point?
-Heresy
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I am behind. Yesterday I broke the 10,000 word level but I need to speed up.
I'm doing two chapters at once. Starts with my MC in space. In one chapter I turned an ordinary landing on earth into a life and death situation, and my MC goes to a family meeting smelling of sweat.
I can tell some sentences will need revising but I don't want to spend too much time trying to figure out how not to use was or the right word.
Posted by LeetahWest (Member # 9402) on :
So ya, I just started this, like today. But I think i can do it! Holding my breathing and diving in head first! Wish me luck, this is my first time doing nanowrimo, and my first time actually attempting to write more than one chapter of a book. LeetahWest if anyone wants to buddy!
Posted by Heresy (Member # 1629) on :
Good luck! My first time doing NaNo myself, though not my first novel attempt. My first with a whole outline though.
-Heresy
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Yea, Leetah.... Go for it. There is still time.
I'm a bit behind so you might even catch up with me even as I keep writing. Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I am now officially at 15,500 words. Still behind but still moving forward also.
I know one person... in my local NaNo Group... who is already over 50,000 words. And a couple of others over 20,000. I need to check to see but I might be in last place. Someone here thought they might be doing a 80,000 words novel if they had time to write it all.
Posted by Owasm (Member # 8501) on :
400 more words and I am finished with NaNo. I had to slow up a bit because my novel was planned for 40,000 words. I had to start another to get the words in, so I needed to pause to do some research.
Just keep at it and carve out the time and you can do it.
Posted by Heresy (Member # 1629) on :
I hit 40k last night *does the happy dance*, despite coming down with a wicked nasty cold. Sadly, the novel will be much longer than 50k, but at the rate I've been going, I think I should be able to hit 65-70k by the end of the month. Then I just continue on into December much the same until it's done. Should be finished before Christmas.
-Heresy
Posted by LeetahWest (Member # 9402) on :
nice! I wish I could have some time without my kids. I could get a ton more done. The kids compound distractions. First, there is the raising of them, so stopping fights answering questions etc. Then there is making them food all the time. I swear my kids tell me they are hungry ever hour and a half. Then I have to clean the kitchen to make food again, then I have to clean the house and do the laundry and on and on and on! I should be doing minimum of 3k words a day to catch up, but I missed yesterday to help me friend with her book launch and today isn't looking so hot either! Someone please take my kids!! On top of it all my sister will be in town for thanksgiving and staying at my place, which is a disaster because I haven't finished unpacking from when we moved in at the beginning of the month so I haven't been able to give the place a good cleaning. I could use a babysitter. Posted by Heresy (Member # 1629) on :
Oh my. I will admit that I am aided in my writing by the fact that the only people depending on me are two cats, who sleep most of the day, and a bunch of coworkers I get to leave behind at the end of my 8 hours.
I will say this, Leetah, a salute you for even attempting NaNo with all the things going on in your life. I don't think I would have had the courage in your shoes. I can't take your kids, but I offer you a supportive hug from a fellow wrimo. *hugs*
-Heresy
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I understand the business of family life even though my business is different. But it can be done because it has been done. Hard yes, but worth doing.
But that's only a partial reason I am behind. I've been playing too much and today I lost three hours of writing because of a sinus headache that didn't want to go away. I ended up eating lunch about 2 hours later than norm. Not to mention, putting up Christmas decorations and my wife's been super busy with her online store all of a sudden. Wow, she's been shipping out stuff three days a week the last few weeks. She may have to take a week off from work to get it all done and her crafts organized.
Posted by Unwritten (Member # 7960) on :
I hit the 40,000 work mark!
I've learned a lot about my writing style this 4th time around.
So it turns out that I have a lot to say if I get up early in the morning and get it done first thing. I could just stay in my pjs and write all day if I do that. But if I try to do a few things and THEN write? It just isn't the same. And the staying up all night to write like I've done other years? Not a chance. I'm officially too old for that.
I'm not sure how this will work out for me in the long term. It's not like life will just allow me to stay in my pajamas until 10:00 every day for the rest of my life. Though if life WOULD let me do that, I could probably be rich and famous by next year. Posted by Owasm (Member # 8501) on :
I finished last week and have even gotten a critique in. I'll have my NaNo book on Amazon next month in time for Christmas.
Including my planning time, this will have taken me about two months of work to produce a 45,000 word Youth/MG novel.
(You noticed that I didn't write 50,000 words? I cheated and started the second novel in this series during NaNo.)
Posted by axeminister (Member # 8991) on :
Ken, you scare me.
I'm at 1400 words for Nano. I'm going to come up a wee bit short.
Axe
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I agree with Axe. How in the world do you get, even a 45,000 words novel ready to post in one month????
I'm still having problems getting last years NaNo novel ready.
However I met a writer online, through someone's blog, that might be your sister. If I understood her correctly she wrote and prepared a novel in a couple of months. It's the preparation that gets me.
But you did a critique. For a story or a novel?
Posted by Owasm (Member # 8501) on :
No, LD. I finished the novel off early enough (in 12 days) to send the novel off for a critique.
I find it's much easier to get a half-sized novel ready. I'll be publishing another next month that I wrote over two years ago. It's 96,000 words and has sat forever in my WIP.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
That is still quick work... can I borrow your critiquer ?
But I'm doing better 26,800 and still some more work time. If I get Friday off I may get it done this weekend... maybe.
But still I have a better chance now of finishing it on time.
Some quick, dirty writing in places even though I'm trying to use some of the writing techniques I've learned recently.
Posted by Unwritten (Member # 7960) on :
I finished this morning with 52,000 words, though I'm not quite to "The End" yet. I'm still very pleased, and I'll probably get to those awesome words before the end of November.
Posted by Heresy (Member # 1629) on :
Yeah, I've been pushing along myself. I haven't done the verifier yet to officially "win", but that's mostly cause I've been too busy plugging away. Hit 70k last night, still going. I will NOT be at The End by the end of November, but I'm thinking 80-85k at month's end, which means only a week or two of December probably to finish this thing off (I'm still thinking 90-100k total for the book).
Still, I'm incredibly proud of myself for doing this, for pushing myself to write every day, to exceed the pace number, and for all the things that I've learned about myself as a writer. I find I'm already looking forward to NaNo 2012
-Heresy
Posted by Unwritten (Member # 7960) on :
Congratulations, Heresy! That's awesome!
Posted by Heresy (Member # 1629) on :
Thanks. I guess I should report that I've been busting my brain the previous two days and am now up to 80k. And I'm still off work for today and tomorrow.... yeah, here comes 90k...
Ow, my brain...
-Heresy
Posted by Heresy (Member # 1629) on :
Well, that's NaNo for done for another year (it being 10 pm here on the West Coast, I feel that I get to say this). I hope everyone who participated did well, accomplished what they wanted to and is proud of themselves for even trying. They kept telling me as a child that trying was the first step toward succeeding.
On a personal note, 30 days, 96,165 words according to the verification tool, not done yet but almost and OWWWWWWWWW, my brain. Anyone have a spare I can borrow while mine's about to be in the shop for most of December to recover, once I actually finish this beast?
Happy post-NaNo everyone, it's been a blast for my first time participating.
-Heresy
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
50,900 and some words.
My "burst writing" as one NaNo writer of the weekly encouragement E-mail called it, got a good work out.
The last chapter needs a whole lot of fixing, the writing is a mess and the ending really was rushed. Actually, probably the whole thing needs a lot of fixing.
That final battle scene may look a bit like a couple of earlier ones too. Not to mention that that last couple of paragraphs are full of Tell. But I can add a some show later.
One more thing:
I can go back to my regular writing now, including finishing that New Mage novel and I've already started revising-kinda rewriting- that last chapter for this year's NaNo. I have a story to finish that got interrupted even though I'm not sure how to end it, and I have a story or two to revise for WotF and OTP. I may do E-publishing for this one since it will probably be under 65,000 words, but then again maybe YA.
[ December 01, 2011, 11:23 PM: Message edited by: LDWriter2 ]
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
With this book I think I will do a trade off with another NaNo or two. I'm still need last years novel read through even though if I get going I may have one or two people to read last years novel. Hopefully I still have those one or two.
And speaking of titles how about No No NaNo Novel? Or No Nov, Novel for NaNo.
Novel NaNo Novel, Navel NaNo Novel.
Posted by Heresy (Member # 1629) on :
Well, I'm just getting wound up into the second draft of my NaNo novel, though it feels more like first draft, take two, given how different the story and the telling of it is now. But so much better so far.
I've committed myself to essentially doing another NaNo, 30 days of writing with a goal at the end, in order to do it too. The goal is 75k, though, which means I need to write 2500 words per day to do that. What's interesting is I'm finding that, with the higher goal, I'm rising to it and beyond, just as I did with NaNo, and it's only slightly more stressful than the 1667 words for NaNo were. I started on the 15th of December, which makes January 14th my day of reckoning this time. I'm well started on it, though and infinitely happier with it already than I was with the first draft, so there's progress.
As with NaNo, I'm blogging about it regularly, partly to pat myself on the back and partly to keep me focused on the goal. Also, having to report progress to people who are reading and commenting (!) is incredibly motivating for me. I feel like I don't want to disappoint them by failing to live up to the goals I've set myself.
I'm also starting to develop a story and outline for that story that I think will be my June Camp NaNoWriMo Novel (or maybe the August Camp, depending on how my schedule looks). I already miss the word count widget they had, and find that spreadsheets aren't quite filling the void for some reason. Maybe it's that my tracking spreadsheet isn't public like the NaNo Word Count widget. *shrug*
-Julie
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I've heard that some writers need a deadline to get them working. Sounds like you have a self imposed deadline there.
Go for it.
I've set a couple self imposed deadlines but not like that. Usually they involve months. Like last year, I wanted to write two novels, Nano turned it into three. I got two done. The third one was so close I should have finished it. I still haven't for some reason but more on that on the did you write on a novel thread.
So far no new goals like that for '12. But I want to get last years NaNo novel ready to send out or E-publish as the case might be. I could use a couple of more readers for that. Got seven chapters read through but that's, at most, half of it, when the group I was in faded away. I have two or three people who want to read it from scratch but I think as I said I could use a couple more. Which means I need to get back on the ball concerning that book.
Anyway back to the subject, a deadline or two would probably do me good.
Posted by Heresy (Member # 1629) on :
You're right, having a deadline, complete with regular goals seems to be the key that gets me writing regularly, partly because it gives me something to beat, as well as something to glory in achieving.
As for you needing a deadline or two, I find that it's all about actually deciding on a time frame and (this is the key for me) announcing it to other people that you wouldn't want to disappoint and who might help hold you accountable on it. Several friends read my blog (along with perfect strangers, which floors me that strangers care what I have to say in any genre other than fiction) and I know that if I say I'm going to do something and don't report back that I did it, they'll phone me and ask how that's going. So the announcing part is what really keeps me following it. If I tell no one I'm doing it, as I used to, then I find it's too easy to brush it aside or ignore it and not follow through. That leads to an utter lack of finishing anything, at least for me.
Just some thoughts for you to chew on in your own quests. As in anything in life, your mileage may vary.
-Julie
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
You have a point. I think I have done that a time or two but not for years... not including NaNo.
I could try it. I have some online friends who follow my blog but I don't know how many strangers read it sometimes, evidently, by the numbers, some people do. Well one or two of my followers I think are strangers come to think of it.
And of course there is here. That would add a few numbers.
Hmmm...
Posted by Heresy (Member # 1629) on :
Oddly, all of the followers of my blog are strangers, ie people I don't know from real life or haven't know online for several years. That's why I get a shock every time I get a follower, that a stranger cares enough to want to make sure they see what I have to say when I blog about whatever (admittedly, it's usually about writing)
Of course, there's also the fact that my friends are all stranger than, well, fiction. But that's a whole other story right there.
In any case, give it a shot. Nothing to lose, right?
-Julie
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Okay, have a set of goals I am making public.
I have this week off so I want to: Finish the revision of my WotF story and send it in, finish the New Mage novel, finished the rewrite of the half of the last chapter of Breaking Out, do five revisions of my mini stories, send out ten stories-three vial snail mail.
I will have some errands to run, and maybe a movie with my wife-if there is anything we both want to watch-, but it's something doable. One week starting tomorrow- Monday the 26.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
I made my first goal
Yea, I finally finished New Mage, four moths late but I wrote "the end". Not sure how many words but I think it's less than the usual amount but that's okay. Personally I think it's my best novel. I still need to redo chapters two and three and revise it all but it's done.
Funny thing is that the world was inspired by Laura Anne Gilman but I think the character was inspired by C. E. Murphy and one or two other writers. In both cases I do mean inspired, I made the world and character my own with their own way of doing things and their own hurts etc. I didn't set out to do something inspired by them but that's the way it worked out. I don't mind as I said it's my own world.
I will count the words but I need to finish my next goal: getting my WotF story ready and sending it out.
As another writer would say where's my macho to celebrate?
Posted by Heresy (Member # 1629) on :
Better late than never, congrats! Glad to hear the goals are working for you so far. Looking forward to hearing the next one is completed!
-Julie
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Okay, fulfilled two more goals.
Revised and sent out the WotF story for Q1-'12
And I submitted 12 stories-which includes the WotF one-instead of ten.
So two more goals to go.
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Okay finished rewriting the last two chapters for my Nano novel Breaking out. They are now publishable.
Of course now I have to revise the whole blasted thing but for the second time it's officially done. I don't think I will add that other chapter I thought about doing. I might do something with the idea as I revise but we shall see. Or save it for the next book with this MC.
It's now somewhere around 54,000 words. I imagine it will be under 60,000 by the time I'm done. So either try to sell it as a YA the traditional way or E-publish it.
Oh Cat Rambo had a special offer for Wrimbos: a special price for an editing .
Just sent off the last batch of feedback to someone on their NanoWriMo novel. I'll remind folks that this is the last week to do so if you want to take advantage of my editing offer for NaNoWriMo novels mentioned here: http://www.kittywumpus.net/blog/2011/12/06/nanowrimo-what-now/
Too bad I probably won't have mine ready to send it to her in time. I will need her regular editing if I E-publish it.
[ December 29, 2011, 08:42 PM: Message edited by: LDWriter2 ]
Posted by Heresy (Member # 1629) on :
Very much ow brain right now. In fact, I think my brain just went into some sort of protection program.
Yes, that means I'm done the second draft of Dark Mirror. 15 days, 74k words. Much ow brain. I realized I've been pulling 12-14 hour days since I started my vacation from paying work, between writing prep and actual writing (didn't subtract time for eating, doing dishes and the inevitable bathroom breaks, but you get the picture). Omg, why did I do this to myself? Oh, right, I couldn't not work on it. Really. I tried a few times, only to find my hands on my netbook again in 15 minutes, half hour tops. I'm going to try to take tomorrow off to rest, run a couple errands, then re-read it for New Years Eve and see what I think, other than that it's shorter than I anticipated. How did more happen in fewer words? I don't get that...
-Julie (totally sans brains at the moment)
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Very Good there Julie. Even though I must say that sounded pretty intelligent since you are without a brain at the moment. Maybe you should get a T-shirt that says "I let my mind wonder and it never came back".
But more more action with fewer words might be for two reasons. You're learning, even in a novel you can use too many words to describe action.
Or you left out something important.
So what now?
Posted by Heresy (Member # 1629) on :
Well, I've now hit the morning after, and I think my brain got the air it needed. It seems to be mostly present and accounted for.
My plan is to reread it soon (likely tomorrow, but possibly today if I do my usual bored and impatient) and see what I think. I honestly think the brevity of it is a matter of me learning that you don't have to describe everything down to the last fold of cloth. More happens in this draft, I'm certain of that, and I don't think I left out anything important, but again, we'll see what I think on reading through it.
After I've read it and checked spelling, grammar, think its ready to go, I'll be printing it out and sending it off to two test readers. The path from there will depend on what I get back for commentary.
In the meantime, the second book in this trilogy is starting to really bang on my head, demanding to be written...
-Julie
Ps-love the t-shirt idea
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
So start writing the second one. You don't want a headache and/or distraction from all that banging. Of you might wait 'till you reread it and check for nitpicks. But maybe you should let it sit longer than a day or two. A lot of writers wait a month at least.
Yeah, I know that's hard but if you start the second one it will distract you. Posted by Heresy (Member # 1629) on :
sadly, the second one isn't ready for actual draft yet, but I probably will be working on that as my next project, partly because I'm in the vein of that world already and partly because nothing else is ready for draft either.
As for letting it sit for more than a day or two, um, yeah, I have patience issues. It's an issue because I don't have any.
-Julie
Posted by LDWriter2 (Member # 9148) on :
Hey you wrimos take a gander at this. It's a blog post over at NaNo. We have to the 29th to do something.
there's the general camaraderie, and because November is not a month full of nothing, plenty of commiseration around family pressures and life pressures and the like. 
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