A Lesson from NaNoWriMo

Greetings, dear readers. I don't know about you, but I have hit a wall with Covid. Or maybe it's just the holiday season getting to me. I find this time of year to be incredibly overwhelming. Cooking, cleaning, decorating and shopping. It's a lot. So that's probably why I have never been quite 'successful' at NaNoWriMo.

And, lord knows, I have tried.

I've been doing National Novel Writing Month for over a decade and I have never "won." Not even this year when I should've. After all, I've written several full-length novels by now. I should be able to write 1,667 words a day. I've written 10K words in a weekend. During the pandemic (which I know we are still in), I wrote 30K words in three weeks. So I have it in me. But why can't I draft 50K words in a month?

Well, I know why.

I don't want to.

I had started off strong. I got to Day 11 with no trouble. Racked up my word count. And that's when I saw the issue. In an effort to draft fast, my story was falling apart, and everything I typed out was garbage. And, yes, I know the point of NaNoWriMo is to simply draft. Words on the page. Edit later. But in an effort to eek out words, I was beginning to loathe my book. There was no joy in the drafting. No marveling over a great sentence. No staring into space, trying to figure out what my character would say or do. I was simply vomiting on the keyboard. 

For the longest time, I had always thought word-count goals was the best way forward. On non-NaNo days, I would tell myself to write a thousand words. But putting that kind of output on myself meant that I would just be typing nonsense. I have since learned that it is best if I just commit to a time slot for writing. Every morning from 9am to 11am, I will work. That could mean brainstorming, research, or simply drafting slowly. 

I definitely know that I need to write several days a week to keep the momentum going. If I take too much time off my drafting, I forget the story threads. But working within a set time frame, as opposed to forcing myself to draft a certain amount of words, makes the entire process a lot easier on my anxious soul. Because focused work drives momentum, no just the word count tally.

So, dear friends, what lessons did you take away from NaNoWriMo this year? 

Please sound off in the comments.

The All or Nothin’ Approach to Writing

“How much do you write per day?” That’s a question we writers often get, from fellow wordsmiths and non-scribes alike. During the month of November, aka National Novel-Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), there’s a daily goal of 1,667 in order to hit 50,000 words by the 30^th. The official NaNoWriMo website even rewards you for getting your words in daily via badges. And, of course, there’s the ever-present advice to “write every day,” even if it’s just 500 words or a few paragraphs.

That’s sound advice for some people. I always envy those who have a set schedule of waking up an hour earlier than their families every morning and knocking out a few pages while the rest of the world is making its coffee, or who settle down every evening after dinner to get their word count in for the day. I get how that kind of routine works well for creatures of habit – this is writing time, and writing shall be done.

 

Problem is, I’m the opposite of a creature of habit. Every time I’ve tried to set a daily schedule for myself for anything, be it work, writing, exercise, or music practice, it’s been a disaster. Oh, it’ll be nice for a few weeks, this daily rhythm of knowns, but soon, an agitated instinct pops up, going “Every day, it’s the same stupid thing! Can I blow off this one?” The next thing I know, I look forward to the blow-offs, until I’m back to my usual chaotic habits.

 

When it comes to writing, saying “okay, 500 words a day, come hell or high water” or something can be fun for a spell. I remember during NaNoWriMo 2017, I managed to get my 1700ish words in en route to and while vacationing in Arizona, typing them out on my phone and emailing them to myself. But the moment I hit that 50k, even though there were still a few days left to November and I still had half my novel left to go, I was like “Mmkay, I’m done.”

 

I’ve managed to write an 8,000-word short story in a single day, and then refused to touch a word of fiction for the next three weeks. I’ve cranked out half a novel one month, then ditched it for another, then picked it up again and cranked out the other half in a few frenetic weeks. Basically, for me, it’s all or nothin’. I’m either banging out thousands of words over the course of three-plus hours, or I’m binge-watching Netflix comfort shows and pretending there is no book. In fact, I can’t even bring myself to sit down to write unless I have at least two hours to dedicate to it. “Oh, there’s an hour before I have to head out? Can’t get anything done, might as well faff around on Facebook.”

 

So, how much do I write per day? It’s complicated. What about you? Do you write every day, or is it feast or famine?

1,667 Words A Day: Nanoing During An Election

 Hello, readers! Like all of you, I am constantly scrolling through Twitter for any kernel, crumb, speck of information that can alleviate my anxiety and tell me who is going to win this election, and equally important who is getting my state of Pennsylvania--because, dammit, I worked hard for this. And like you all, I also have to work, parent, cook, check homework, and Nano (yes, I'm using it as a verb). 

What was I thinking tackling NaNo in 2020?!

I'd stopped doing NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) a long time ago. I had made many, many, many attempts to write 50K words in a month and I had always fallen short within the first week. And as we know, once you fall behind, it's hard to make up the word count. It seemed like so much undue pressure, and I had always failed. But, alas, this year (of all years) I have decided to try again.

Sisters in Crime, which I belong to, decided to take up the NaNoWriMo mantle and they hosted a killer opening day crowdcast featuring brilliant mystery authors such as Kellye Garrett, Catriona McPherson, Sara Paretsky, Lori Rader-Day. Everyone popped in for a little bit and offered  their tips for drafting quickly. It was so inspiring and so communal that I realized I can write 50K words in a month. Hell, I've written 5K words a day. I can do this and I want to. Also I need to finish this draft before the year is up.

As I get older, I've become a more efficient writer and I've accepted that I can write crappy and polish it up in revisions. And even in this hectic of hectic times, as long as I set up 90 minutes, I can drop 1,667 words into the draft. Not amazing words, but they're there nevertheless.

Which reminds me, I must get drafting. Maybe when I'm done, we'll have elected our president.

Prepping for NaNoWriMo 2020

A post by Mary Fan

Do you do National Novel Writing Month, aka NaNoWriMo? My answer for the past several years has been "sort of." In case there's anyone reading this who's unaware of how NaNoWriMo works, basically your goal is to write a 50,000-word novel during the month of November. There's an official website for it and everything, where you can connect with other writers and track your progress.

Back in April 2013, I apparently created an account to participate in "Camp NaNo", which is just an off-season version of NaNo, but only logged my progress once and then forgot about the whole thing. Since then, I've unofficially participated in several NaNos - and by that, I mean I've tried to write 50,000 words of a novel in the month of November (the first 50k words, that is... my manuscripts are way too long to be complete in that amount of space). While reporting my word counts on Facebook and Twitter, of course.

It's been a great way for me to kickstart whatever project I had next in my queue (I most recently did it in 2019 with Seize the Stars). Seeing all my writer friends boast about their word counts on social media turned out to be a fantastic motivator for me (though the fact that NaNo starts the day after Halloween has meant that several times, I've had to put up with said friends' bragging about all the words they wrote before noon while nursing a wicked hangover). It's an exercise in no-excuses, get-'er-done, just-keep-going writing, where the manuscript simply has to exist -- you can worry about how good it is later.

This year, I was low-key peer-pressured into re-joining the NaNo website officially (okay, a bunch of my friends were forming a group and I got jealous so I logged into my account for the first time in over seven years). After a summer spent in the indie publishing trenches, dealing with logistics, proofreading manuscripts, and arguing with printing companies, it'll be nice to just WRITE again. 

What am I going to write? That's something I'm still figuring out. I have a bunch of brainstorming notes, but all I can say so far is that it's going to be a YA fantasy set in an underwater realm (where people live in air pockets and use submarines to get around... no mermaids or anything). And there will be circuses. And pirates. And sea monsters. And... oh, hell if I know.

As soon as I get off Blogger, I'm going to try to figure that out so I'll have some idea what I'll be writing come November 1. And also watching some movies that take place underwater for procrasperation (where you procrastinate by doing things "for inspiration").

Packing for Camp NaNoWriMo

Hey guys! On Friday, I'm heading to camp! Camp NaNoWriMo that is. I haven't done a WriMo in years because I haven't had a new project coincide with the event. But this year, I do. So now I'm rushing to pack for camp.

For those unfamiliar with the global event, November is National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo, when writers pledge to write 50K words in a month. It's a community event. Writers often write in solitude, but during November, we are all in this together either online or at regional write-ins. Camp NaNoWriMo is different. This happens in April and July and is a kitchy, low-key event where writers set their own goals for the month. Maybe all you need to write is 40K words or 35K. It's fine and all part of the fun. You join a cabin and chat with fellow bunk mates. 

I've set a 50K-word goal. Years ago, 50K words seemed insane and I've never won NaNo. Not once. But as I flex my writing muscle more and more, the word count seems less daunting. With a solid outline, an hour or two to myself, and a total disconnect from the internet, 1,667 words a day seems like a very doable task.

Here's the kicker, though. I'm not done with my outline and I have two days, including today, to finish it. I'm writing Book 2 in my mystery trilogy, so an outline for two POVs is a must. If I don't get it done, I won't be a successful camper. And my parents paid a lot of money for me to attend this camp, so I better make good use of my time. JK. Camp is free!

Are you participating in Camp NaNoWriMo this year? If so, best of luck! Meanwhile, I've got to run and pack an outline.

Deadline or Lifeline?

A Post By Jonathan  

Credit to TED Talk website

I'm unfortunately going to have to make this post kind of short because I've got a sick one-year-old at home and there's no telling when he might jump up and scream like a banshee for "dada" to run down the hall and tend to his every need...

Who am I kidding? Yes, I have a sick kid. But he wasn't sick on Monday or Tuesday, when I really should've been working on my blog post (due Thursday). The truth is, I kind of procrastinated on this one. So, that's what I'm going to post about today. Procrastination.

I know, I know, we writers have heard it all before -- or we'll wait and hear it all tomorrow-- but I had an epiphany that I just had to share. As an unagented, unpublished, wannabe author, it really hit home for me and I hope it will do the same for you. Let's stick with that thought for a second....

What do agented/published authors have that we, the undiscovered, don't? Besides tons of money from book sales (or at least some money from book sales), their names written in time for all eternity, and all the other ethereal jazz that comes with being a person who wrote an actual book and had the courage to send it out into the world?

Deadlines, people. Deadlines. Or are they actually Lifelines?

If you troll some of the writing blogs/Facebook groups I do, you may have seen a link recently to a TED Talk by Tim Urban, titled "Inside the Mind of a Master Procrastinator." The whole thing is really good, so I recommend you watch it from beginning to end. But the part that really stuck out to me was when the presenter highlighted the two different kinds of procrastination. The traditional, more talked about kind is when you wait right up until the deadline to finish your project, like I did with this post... But the worse kind of procrastination, the kind I think I've been struggling with for sometime, comes when you have no deadline at all.

I'm famous for revealing that I've been working on the same novel for over a decade. Now I know that it's not because I'm lazy. My panic monster just hasn't had a reason to wake up in a while... (watch the TED Talk and you'll know see what I'm talking about).  Basically, without a deadline, I've had no true incentive to push my novel to the point of publication. And yet, when I was in college and had to turn work in for a grade, I would pull multiple all-nighters to finish a paper or project. Would I feel like kind of a loser that I waited so long to finish the assignment? Yes (though at least I finished it...). But it was nothing compared to how I feel --and how I think many other deadlineless writers feel-- pecking away at a project, day after day, year after year, with nothing to show for it but a bunch of words on paper that no one will ever read.

So how do we get over that first hump? Can we procrastinators really impose timelines on ourselves? I wish I could give you a resounding yes, but it's up to the individual (for the record, I'm really going to try!). I guess that's why NaNoWriMo is so popular. It gives us all a deadline. I do know this. If we don't find ways to set hard targets for ourselves we will continue to feel unaccomplished, and our dreams of publication will continue to drift further and further away.

I did have one idea. I thought about going into the business of selling deadlines. You give me $100.00 and I give you a deadline in return. If you don't meet your deadline, I keep your $100.00. If you do meet your deadline, you get your $100.00 back with a little interest. If everyone meets their deadlines, I'm in the red. If not, I'm in the black. What do you think? Any takers out there? If so, I'll just need your credit card number...

Anyway, thanks for stopping by! I think I hear a baby crying...