NaNo not Happenin'

I started off with good intentions.  I was really excited about it, and raring to go.  It would seem that that energy got left behind at the starting gate. I can see holes in my plot that are large enough to walk through.  My motivation for my character is weak.  I see weaknesses everywhere I turn. The realization that this is just my internal editor just messin’ with my mind does not help.  I haven’t been able to turn it off this week, although that in itself may be PMS-related.

 

Nevertheless, I want to trudge on, even knowing that much of what I will write will be crap.  It is murder forcing the words to come when that voice keeps telling you to stop.

 

I’ve been reading a lot of blogs.  I enjoy reading about others’ writing process.  There is some comfort that I am not alone in my fears.  It means a lot when a multi-published author still draws a blank, or thinks his/her writing is all crap.  I like that.  Kindred folks.  I have some ideas for other novels, but refuse to work on them until NaNo is over.  I put them on the back burner to marinate for a while.  I keep thinking about NaNo2001, which is still unfinished, simply because I wrote myself into such a corner, that I will need to revise before I can finish anything.

 

Well, I’ve talked the talk, now it’s time to walk the walk.

 

 

 

 

Days 3-4

This weekend turned out to be a total bust.  I had to work Saturday, which pushed all my other Saturday to-dos even later, and well, writing got pushed to the end of the list. I really need to get better at prioritizing, if I ever want to get to 50K. The internal editor is back, loud and clear and he/she/it is driving me crazy.

 

So I’m working from a deficit now.  I’m hoping to catch up and get back on track this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NaNo Day 1

I got off to a slow start yesterday.  The blank page is an intimidating sight.  For a while there, I didn’t know what to do.  I kept hearing a voice in my head, “Okay Nano started, now what?” I didn’t even write 1K last night.  But, considering that I was having computer issues, and I was just damned tired, I think I did alright. 

 

The hard part is not thinking too much.  And I think too much.  However, as the days progress, I think the whole “thinking” thing will fall to the wayside.  There’s just no time for it.  I’ve never been a person who stops reading fiction while they’re writing.  I haven’t had it become an issue yet.  I believe it is perfect for NaNo.  Whenever you’re stuck, just throw in some element from whatever novel you’re reading at the moment.  Who cares if it doesn’t fit!  It may spark some new idea or tangent you hadn’t thought of earlier.  And that is the extent of my NaNoWriMo advice.  Considering that I’ve participated twice….stuck with it for the full 30 days once, and have not hit 50K yet…well, take my advice with a grain of salt.

 

I love the camaraderie of NaNoWriMo.  In RL, I don’t have any writer friends.  Well, at least none that I know about…for all I know, they can be closet writers.  I’m also hoping that becoming active on the NaNo forums will lead me to writers in my area.  I know they’re out there…I just don’t know who they are.

 

The fickle muse is playing with me.  I’m hearing other voices…ones that do not belong in this novel.  They belong in another world, but they’re whispering in my ear, tempting me to go outside and play with them.  The focus thing isn’t easy.  I’ve compromised, by allowing myself to write down notes, or email myself (while at work) different aspects of this [not-so-]new project.  It’s one that has been marinating for a while, but I have been determined to get this project’s first draft completed before moving on to this very sexy, very tempting project #2.

 

Ok, heading back to the grindstone.  Maybe I can get some words in during lunch.