Monday, November 24, 2008

Gentemen (and ladies) Start Your Violins

My total word count thus far: 30K This means I have six days and five hours to write 20K words. AAAAAAAAAARGH!!!

Okay, okay, okay. The pity party stops here. Discipline! Determination! Rah, rah and all that!



Things I've learned from NaNoWriMo (so far)

1. Every day is a new day. A new chance to torment yourself with strive for that word count goal. To uncover the deeper elements of the characters and plot.

2. You are capable of 2K more today than you think you are. I guarantee it. I won't vouch for the quality of the 2K, but you've got it in you.

3. There's something to be said for just saying it. What I mean is... This contest has forced me to put characters to paper that have lived in my mind for almost fourteen years. Instead of obsessing over the details of each scene, I've pushed ahead and written more than I dreamed possible. Will I save every word? No. But it is easier to rewrite a bad scene a second time through. Editing is an art of its own.

4. Did I mention every day is a new day? Whether or not the goal for yesterday was met is irrelevant today. No time to waste on remorse. Time to put down the whip and start typing.

5. It doesn't end November 30th. I mean... the challenge ends. But the ultimate goal is to complete the manuscript. So gotta keep at it.

6. Writing is like a box of chocolates... wait. No, that's not it. Writing is like sumo wrestling. Except with different outfits. I kind of like those sandals, though. But yeah, it's like sumo wrestling. Better when done with others.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Wowza. Regardless of the outcome 30K is mind blowing.

Oh, and weird coincidence. I just picked up The Covenant by Naomi Ragen at an Arts and Crafts Festival last weekend. I plan to read it over the Thanksgiving holiday. Hope you like it. :)