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| Mindmap from 12.24.12 near the end of NaNo and just getting started on the heavy stuff |
I’m about a week behind this year but it’s not due to writing block. Last time in 2010 I finished 50,000 words in the 30 days, but I don’t think I will this time.
My work schedule was crazy at the beginning of the month so I’ve been hobbling behind for all of November. But on I go.
#NaNoWriMo has changed in meaning for me since I won last time.
Since the point is to actually publish my book, I want to spend a little more time on it. I also have developed a writing process which includes blog posts, Morning Pages, and mindmaps (see above example). Added together can equal 6000 a words a week not to mention additional time.
Last time even the thought of editing or even reading that 2010 complete panster NaNo novel turned me off. It’s still languishing with only a few memorable scenes. So I learned. I took three months to write my next draft, Line of Isis, the book I was revising during last NaNoWriMo. Oh, I’m still revising it–this month is a brief pause from that funness.
I did miss NaNoWriMo last year. I love NaNo as a jumping off point. It is such great motivation to just start something. So many other people are excited and productive, too. It inspires me to get those words down on the page and write as much as I can.
Writing spurs new ideas. To see if a plot work, I best throw it on the page. After jumping into writing, I often find that I need to go back to the plot board. And that is one more day I can’t spit out 1000-2000 words to catch up on my wordcount.
But you know what? Plotting makes for a better novel. And yes, I’m a pantser, so it’s not fair. Now that I’ve been revising a novel for a year and a half, I realize that time spent on plotting now will save hours and hours and days of frustration later.
I do love my plotcard method for blasting out a flexible outline, world and character list. A heavy addition is just an hour’s work, if they aren’t updated with every writing session. And for god’s sake, I don’t have to do any of that roman numerals crap.
Congratulations to everyone near finishing! Now that the end is in sight, perhaps move your target to your goals after NaNoWriMo. Who would you like to read your novel? How can you make this the best book to share with them?
If you need to type like the wind to get it all out first, go for it. But maybe try writing an open letter to yourself about where the story is going. Strengthen that ending.
Brainstorming counts. In my opinion the three pages I write every morning should also count into my NaNoWriMo. They aren’t linear pieces of the story, but they are words. Words that are all exploring the inner lanscape from which I draw my inspiration. My three pages a day, pulled from The Artist’s Way, give me sanity. Sanity to write the other stuff.
I’ve found with NaNo my average daily wordcount is about 1300. Now that I know that, it’s an awesome place to start. I notice if I shoot for 1300-1500 I usually top the goal by a bunch. I just don’t always every day cuz I have a day job, have time to write. Sadly.
Looks like the only way I will meet 50,000 this month is to go rogue. Add up the word count to the story and add Morning Page numbers.
Really, me thinks the number isn’t as important as the book I’m writing. It is important to me that I write a bit slower. My writing improves, as does my quality of life while I read & edit the draft.
And I’m writing this baby ’till it’s done.
I will be revealing more about the inspiration of my draft tomorrow. It is highly based on my life experiences, so please swing back after midnight on Wednesday November 28th to read “How I Became a Writer and a Witch.”
And yes I wrote that this month during NaNoWriMo. I’m so rogue.
How are you doing with NaNoWriMo? How do you balance plotting and your wordcount?
Is No Plot a Problem?
