NANOWRIMO.....

I have a friend, Tiggy Johnson, who for a few years now urged me each November to have a go at Nanowrimo.


Each year I said 'no way.'

Which explains of course why Monday morning about 7.30 am before heading off to work I decided, spur of the moment, to sign up.

Now of course it's panic time. Why on earth did I decide to say that yes I would write a novel, 50,000 words in the month of November? Why?

I do like a challenge, and this is a big one, but where to begin?


Especially as I had no idea what I wanted to write. Looking at a few forums I discovered that a lot of people have actual plans. Yes plans. Complete with character sketches, plot outlines, themes and carefully planned metaphors to sprinkle throughout this work, even a title.

Hmmm- did I say I liked a challenge?

People have offered up advice.
A- You must write every day.
B- Try and stay ahead of the word count.
C- Include anything you write in the body, your blog, your poetry....
D- Don't care what comes out, just write.

I like plan A and plan B. Plan C sounds a tad like cheating- and I think plan D is a big reason why I'm doing it. To see what comes out.

I had to write about something. I don't really do sci-fi, fantasy, historical...but I love people, they intrigue me. What could I write about?

As for an idea...driving home from work Monday night I thought back to a week ago when my dad came up for a visit and handed over some things that were my mother's (more on some of the surprises inside these packages at a later date) but it started the whole 'what if'...

What if as an adult you received some information that made you realise that what you thought you knew about your mother was all lies...that the discovery of a hidden past make you see them as a totally different person?


So one day in...nearly 3000 words down. For the next few weeks working full time, 5-6 day weeks,I will have to write before work, sometimes after work (when the brain is pure mush), pity can't write during work but the customers might get a bit annoyed- but I'll do my best to get to the end.

Wish me luck....

Comments

  1. Tiggy JohnsonNovember 1, 2011 at 3:33 PM

    yay!!!!! Does it help to know I'm impressed and excited to have you as one of my NaNoWriMo buddies?
    Also, I'm not going to wish you luck because you don't need it. But I do hope you get something worthwhile out of it, though I'm sure you will. And have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Vicki ThorntonNovember 10, 2011 at 2:14 AM

    fun...she says have fun.....phwah !

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

THE SOLITARY WRITER...

Image
Writers are said to be solitary creatures. There is the age old image of the writer, alone, shivering and gaunt, scribbling away frantically while living in an attic. Frankly I don't know any writers who live in attics, or in fact many who lead the solitary life. Most are surrounded by people- in their daily lives, in their jobs, surrounded by family and friends. And really it is by being part of this social whirl where the majority of ideas come from. People as a species are so interesting, so volatile, so eager to say too much. All fodder for a poem or short story, a play, piece of non-fiction...or the seed for a novel. The novel I wrote for Nanowrimo last year was based on a line my father said. One simple phrase and I wondered 'what if...' and it went from there. The last short story I wrote was based on a mother I noticed at work and how she interacted with her children on one of the last scorching days. Let's just say the temperature wasn't the only thi...
Read more

OBSTACLES....

Image
This year has been a bit of a doozy. A lot of obstacles have popped up, some avoidable (accepting bigger work load and more hours)..some unavoidable (death of family member). So without me noticing it, March has arrived. Summer is gone and we have autumn, and not a lot of writing has been done. But here we are and I'm determined to get myself organised and on focus. I have made a goal sheet for 2018, which is a great start. It only has two things on it but heh, they are two BIG things and hopefully  I intend to get them done.  Last night I attended my YA / Children's writing group. What an inspirational group! Just when I needed a pick up, a kick up the pants (please supply any number of cliches) I was reminded of what can be achieved with lots of hard work. Fellow member Pauline   is about to launch her second book in her Cinnamon Stevens series. There will be a launch at Belgrave Library, Tuesday 10th April 2pm.  Copies can be purchased ...
Read more

FRESH START....

Image
There's something about the beginning of a new year. Fills us with inspiration, hopes and dreams. Lets us believe that anything is possible. That the year to come can be anything we want it to be. And it can. And of course there are resolutions...I'm still debating about what tack to take. Whether to focus on poetry or short story, the novel(s) that I wrote last year....hmmm too hard to think about just yet. I'll let it percolate, ponder on the pros and cons, on what I WANT to do, not what I SHOULD do. Personal resolutions are so much easier- I have plans on health and wellbeing, on the house, on the garden, on myself spiritually as well. The writing ones are so much harder. And of course there is knowing when to stop. There is no point in having a list a mile long ( I so used to do that)... totally unachievable and so daunting. So it's better to have a few solid ones on the list...ones that can be achieved within twelve months. And also goals that I have contr...
Read more