This is the second time around for me...
Last year, November 1, 2006, I participated in National Novel Writer's Month (NaNoWriMo) and successfully crossed the finish line with a little over 50,000 words. It was one of the easiest things I've ever did in my life, in hindsight.
This years challenge...is somewhat different...somewhat more difficult...and I'm somewhat nervous about it.
I've always accepted the fact that the more you know, the more you grow...which may have been a chant embedded in my brain from the good ole days of grade school...sorta like the 'just say no' campaign.... I've also come into an even better depiction of the saying courtesy of Mama Deep (and I might add that she's extremely DEEP) acVernon Menchan--who says you know better so you must do better--to paraphrase....
But as I've grown, I've learned that the more I know...sometimes hinders me
Sometimes makes me forget that simplicity works best
Sometimes makes me over-think things that need not be over-thought....ya feel me?
I understand about turning the inner editor off...but can I do it? Last year, I didn't have to, because I didn't have an inner editor...at the time. But through my experience as a reviewer for A Place Of Our Own (APOOO)--www.apooo.org-- I've become more aware of my editing issues and slightly aware of how to change them. And through my experience with novel writing, I've learned that because I write good poetry, doesn't mean I can write good books--even though I'm learning--and that I must study...which I do daily...to become a great and respected author.
Yes, this years challenge, is actually a challenge for me...but I welcome it with an open heart and open arms....though I don't doubt that I'll complete it....I can't deny that I'm nervous, and become even more nervous as it gets closer to November 1st!
If you want more information about NaNoWriMo, please visit www.nanowrimo.org and don't forget to add me as a buddy (poeticgenesis) if you sign up.
For a glimpse of my first experience, check out the interview with Emanuel Carpenter on BlogginginBlack.com (----click there
Stay peace
genesis
Friday, October 19, 2007
2nd Time Around...
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7 comments:
Do your thang, babeee,
Love you,
mama deep
Ok so I failed last year at this attempt because of my inner editor. My story was good...atleast I believe it was and I wanted prefection. Silly me how could I get that in 30 days. So a different approach this year...I am all outlined from beginning to end. It is so good that I almost want to write it now, but that would be cheating. So I actually can't wait. This years story is so near and dear to my heart I know that I will succeed this time around. I cannot wait.
You will be fine, remember there is a time and place for everything and Nov. 1-Nov. 30 is writing time, after that you can edit all you want. I am there with you girl.
Thanks for the link to the interview. A lot of great writers end up blocked because of overthinking. The same thing happened to Ralph Ellison after the success of "Invisible Man." You've already proven you can do it so go ahead and do it again. If I was doing NaNo, here is what I would do:
1. Keep in mind that this is just a rough draft. It doesn't have to be perfect, so just write, write, write. It's not supposed to be perfect.
2. Turn off Spellchecker on the software program so that annoying underlining of mistakes won't distract you. Try using one that doesn't have grammar check and spell check like WordPad, which usually comes free with Windows.
3. Take in lots and lots of caffeine. I'm a Code Red writer myself. Coca-cola works too.
4. Use spare time wisely, including lunch at work.
5. Eliminate entertainment TV. Must-see TV is not as important as your novel.
6. Reward yourself for meeting daily goals. How about chocolates or treating yourself to a movie?
7. Keep your sleep schedule. If you normally get 7 hours of sleep a night, keep on getting 7 hours.
8. Don't ask for anyone's opinion until the rough draft is done.
9. Be fearless in your writing and write was on your heart. Follow your gut. You can always go back and change stuff that doesn't work.
10. Don't dwell on the details. Feel free to write stuff like (insert name here) or {dude 2's name here}, especially when the other story is flowing.
GO GET 'EM!
Emanuel,
Thanks for the pointers, especially the {insert name} here part.
JC,
I'm curious. Did you eventually finish your novel last year? I don't think I would call it a failure, regardless of the outcome, especially if you learned something from the experience. If writing 50,000 words makes you a NaNo Winner, getting close should make you a NaNo Silver Medalist.
What do you think?
Good luck! You'll do great. I keep saying I'm going to try this one year. And then November creeps up faster than I expected...
Gwyneth
Be encouraged. Last year was my first try @ NaNoWriMo and I churned out a nice 50K+ novel. It was easy because I was single, travelling, etc. with a lot of free time to devote.
This year, I'm married with a totally reformatted life. But I'm down for the challenge. All the aforementioned advice is right. Just do you. Let it flow. Tell the inner editor 2 beat it. We can worry about (editing) in December...while you're celebrating another victory ;)
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