And because of the snow, there will be very little writing/editing done today. It took me just over two hours to get into work. That consisted of about 1 hour and 40 minutes in the car and another 20 minutes walking.
This means I need to leave work at about 2pm to be sure that I get my children to their Christmas party on time. It's going to be a short, white day.
Not that there are many people in today. Most haven't bothered trying to get here and I don't blame them. I'm taking my computer home with me tonight so that if the weather doesn't improve, I don't have to come in tomorrow.
Everything does look pretty.
Thursday 17 December 2009
Wednesday 16 December 2009
Progress at last.
I know today is Wednesday and all the way through NaNoWriMo I never wrote on a thing on a Wednesday, but today I did quite a bit.
With the problems I've been having with writing a new scene, I decided to do some editing instead. The result of this is an additional 8752 words have been added to my total, bring it up to 12528 words.
Now I know this is mostly editing. I have deleted a lot and I have rewritten parts, but mostly the increase in my total is due to the bits I wrote during NaNoWriMo that were actually quite good. (OK, so I think they are very good, but that might change over time).
I think I will continue like this tomorrow and possibly Friday. However I might run out of good parts by then and so I'll be back to writing again. My biggest gain from doing this, is the feeling that I am actually accomplishing something. My lack of progress in writing a new scene was really getting to me.
I was starting to lose confidence. Going back and getting stuff from my first draft has cheered me up tremendously. Not mention it has boosted my word count. I've also identified where new scenes are needed. I haven't even tried to write these yet, I've just simply put a note in the text, which includes a brief description of what I think the scene should include.
I think that I'll end up using about 30000 words from the first draft and hence will be dropping about 20000 words. I don't think that's a bad ratio. Especially since I re-did the storyline and changed the identity of the killer. I think I've worked out a new sub-plot that will increase the word count while illustrating the behaviour of a couple of characters.
So onwards and upwards.
With the problems I've been having with writing a new scene, I decided to do some editing instead. The result of this is an additional 8752 words have been added to my total, bring it up to 12528 words.
Now I know this is mostly editing. I have deleted a lot and I have rewritten parts, but mostly the increase in my total is due to the bits I wrote during NaNoWriMo that were actually quite good. (OK, so I think they are very good, but that might change over time).
I think I will continue like this tomorrow and possibly Friday. However I might run out of good parts by then and so I'll be back to writing again. My biggest gain from doing this, is the feeling that I am actually accomplishing something. My lack of progress in writing a new scene was really getting to me.
I was starting to lose confidence. Going back and getting stuff from my first draft has cheered me up tremendously. Not mention it has boosted my word count. I've also identified where new scenes are needed. I haven't even tried to write these yet, I've just simply put a note in the text, which includes a brief description of what I think the scene should include.
I think that I'll end up using about 30000 words from the first draft and hence will be dropping about 20000 words. I don't think that's a bad ratio. Especially since I re-did the storyline and changed the identity of the killer. I think I've worked out a new sub-plot that will increase the word count while illustrating the behaviour of a couple of characters.
So onwards and upwards.
Tuesday 15 December 2009
Today's progress
Miraculously I wrote something today. Not much, but it's better than nothing. I added 361 words to my total, bring it up to 3776 words. Nowhere near as much as I should have written, but at least the total is increasing now.
I'm hoping to get more done over the Christmas break. I get 2 weeks off work, so I should be able to get something done. The only day that I know I won't get much done is the 26th December. That's visitor day, when we open our doors and everyone turns up. It tends to end up as a very long, chaotic day.
Now I know that we will also go out on at least a couple of other days as a family, but I should still be able to write. Hopefully I will get into a routine that will help my total increase and perhaps, I'll even reach my goals.
If it turns out to be a real disaster, I'll re-evaluate my plan. Perhaps I'll change to another storyline/plot. We will see.
I'm hoping to get more done over the Christmas break. I get 2 weeks off work, so I should be able to get something done. The only day that I know I won't get much done is the 26th December. That's visitor day, when we open our doors and everyone turns up. It tends to end up as a very long, chaotic day.
Now I know that we will also go out on at least a couple of other days as a family, but I should still be able to write. Hopefully I will get into a routine that will help my total increase and perhaps, I'll even reach my goals.
If it turns out to be a real disaster, I'll re-evaluate my plan. Perhaps I'll change to another storyline/plot. We will see.
Here we go again....
I didn't write again yesterday. My excuse is work. I did a lot of work yesterday and that took up all my time. When I got home I did the housework I hadn't done on Sunday because I was out a birthday tea instead.
But today, I have time. Trouble is will I write? I would be stupid not to and I have the time. All I have to do is to start typing. I think writing this post will help. It is at least some sort of writing and is a start. Now all I have to do is get creative.
But today, I have time. Trouble is will I write? I would be stupid not to and I have the time. All I have to do is to start typing. I think writing this post will help. It is at least some sort of writing and is a start. Now all I have to do is get creative.
Monday 14 December 2009
Update (lack of)
Unsurprisingly, I did not write over the weekend. I managed 0 words.
However I did work out that I needed to change the location of the scene that I'm stuck on. If I move the location and add in a new character, one that isn't actually new, but was deleted from the NaNoWriMo draft because I thought that she was superfluous. Now I realise my first instinct was the right one. Moving the scene and adding the character will add a new dimension and solve some other minor problems. My MC will show herself off in a different environment and that is needed.
It will increase the word count too and that's no bad thing. The first draft, written for NaNoWriMo, was only 52000 words long and the final draft needs 75000-90000 words to lie within the "normal" book lengths.
I might change the timeline a bit too, not sure about that yet though. I think I need to write more before making a decision. Perhaps that's something for the next draft. Keep with the current timeline as is in this draft and see how the whole thing pans out. Sounds good to me.
On a separate note, I seem to have lost the spell checker from my post editor. I have no idea how I managed that, but I really need to find it again. My spelling is so weak, it's scary.
However I did work out that I needed to change the location of the scene that I'm stuck on. If I move the location and add in a new character, one that isn't actually new, but was deleted from the NaNoWriMo draft because I thought that she was superfluous. Now I realise my first instinct was the right one. Moving the scene and adding the character will add a new dimension and solve some other minor problems. My MC will show herself off in a different environment and that is needed.
It will increase the word count too and that's no bad thing. The first draft, written for NaNoWriMo, was only 52000 words long and the final draft needs 75000-90000 words to lie within the "normal" book lengths.
I might change the timeline a bit too, not sure about that yet though. I think I need to write more before making a decision. Perhaps that's something for the next draft. Keep with the current timeline as is in this draft and see how the whole thing pans out. Sounds good to me.
On a separate note, I seem to have lost the spell checker from my post editor. I have no idea how I managed that, but I really need to find it again. My spelling is so weak, it's scary.
Friday 11 December 2009
Quick Update
Today's final word count is 3415 words. So the second draft total is 3415 words. It's completely edited, so I did make my 2500 words goal. However I do need to write a new scene. Currently there is a paragraph that basically describes a scene, but I don't actually show it.
I've tried twice now to write that scene and have got absolutely nowhere. I need to approach it from a different angle. I know leaving it for later isn't going to work. It was in the first draft in just about the same form as now and it hasn't gotten any easier to write.
Trouble is I don't understand why this one is so difficult. Maybe it's just one of those things that just don't seem to have an explanation, they just are. Still it's bugging me a little. I think I will start by expanding the paragraph I have now and see if that will lead to proper scene, but that is for tomorrow and I will be writing tomorrow.
At least a little. I know I won't be writing on Sunday as I have to go out for the entire day, hence I'm determined to do at least something tomorrow. Maybe I'll get that scene written.
I've tried twice now to write that scene and have got absolutely nowhere. I need to approach it from a different angle. I know leaving it for later isn't going to work. It was in the first draft in just about the same form as now and it hasn't gotten any easier to write.
Trouble is I don't understand why this one is so difficult. Maybe it's just one of those things that just don't seem to have an explanation, they just are. Still it's bugging me a little. I think I will start by expanding the paragraph I have now and see if that will lead to proper scene, but that is for tomorrow and I will be writing tomorrow.
At least a little. I know I won't be writing on Sunday as I have to go out for the entire day, hence I'm determined to do at least something tomorrow. Maybe I'll get that scene written.
Writing
So far today, I have added 3884 words to my new draft. This gives a total of 3884 words in the second draft. Most of these words come from the first draft and a lot still need editing. I'm 750 words into the edit. I've already deleted some scenes that are no longer relevant. I just have to re-write the ones that are still relevant.
My goal for this second draft is to get 2500 words written and/or edited per day for at least five days per week. I failed miserably to do that this week, but in defence I did only start writing today. I should have started earlier, but didn't. Still I should be able to make my daily target for today at least.
As for NaNoWriMo, I'll keep a total going on here so that I can track my progress. I'll also update my spreadsheet to see how I'm doing and see if I can meet the goals I'm setting myself. Christmas is coming so that will affect things. I just don't know how at the moment. I won't be working, but there is far more family orientated things to do. Should be interesting if nothing else.
Other things I am doing is adding the scenes into a spreadsheet, which includes a timeline, words per scene and how many scenes I need to reach my word goal. For example, I've set my total word count for the entire novel to 80000 words, which is a reasonable length. Now my first scene is 750 words long. Now if all my scenes are that length, I would need 107 scenes to reach my target.
Of course not all the scenes will be the same length and the exact word count won't be 80000 words, but it's fun to track my progress. I'll keep an update on my average scene length and how many scenes I need to reach 80000 words. I'm hoping that the 107 will come down...
Time to go back to editing.
My goal for this second draft is to get 2500 words written and/or edited per day for at least five days per week. I failed miserably to do that this week, but in defence I did only start writing today. I should have started earlier, but didn't. Still I should be able to make my daily target for today at least.
As for NaNoWriMo, I'll keep a total going on here so that I can track my progress. I'll also update my spreadsheet to see how I'm doing and see if I can meet the goals I'm setting myself. Christmas is coming so that will affect things. I just don't know how at the moment. I won't be working, but there is far more family orientated things to do. Should be interesting if nothing else.
Other things I am doing is adding the scenes into a spreadsheet, which includes a timeline, words per scene and how many scenes I need to reach my word goal. For example, I've set my total word count for the entire novel to 80000 words, which is a reasonable length. Now my first scene is 750 words long. Now if all my scenes are that length, I would need 107 scenes to reach my target.
Of course not all the scenes will be the same length and the exact word count won't be 80000 words, but it's fun to track my progress. I'll keep an update on my average scene length and how many scenes I need to reach 80000 words. I'm hoping that the 107 will come down...
Time to go back to editing.
Thursday 10 December 2009
Argh!
So didn't do much yesterday, but it was a Wednesday. Still can't work out why I don't do much on a Wednesday, I just don't. In the writing sense that is. I do lots of things. I guess I do them on Wednesday so I don't have to do them for the rest of the week. I need to start writing at the weekend and just forget about writing on Wednesday.
Now I have two outlines (actually I have three, but the original NaNoWriMo one is no longer relevant) one of which is very close to the original I used in NaNoWriMo, but with the changes I wanted after having completed the 50k. The other one is no where near complete, but what I have done is, in my own opinion, better than the completed one.
The problem is I'm having trouble completing this outline. I keep going back to it and I don't seem to be able to get any further, so for now I'm going to set it to one side. I am going to start writing and editing the text I do have in order to get my second draft done. When the second draft is done, then I'll go back and see if the third outline is any good or of any help. If it isn't I'll delete it.
I should say that the beginnings of both outlines are almost identical, but they rapidly diverge. I like the direction that the unfinished one takes, I just not sure that it is something I want to write. Sounds a bit weird, but it makes sense to me. I often read books that I would never think of writing.
Lottery by Patricia Woods is one such book. I loved this book. I read it in one sitting. I think it's a great concept and it is written very well. Having said that it is not a book I would write. It's just not my style, but it is a great book.
And I think that might be my problem here. The second outline might produce a great book, but I'm not convinced it's one I want to write. On the other hand, maybe it's the one I need to write.
Now I have two outlines (actually I have three, but the original NaNoWriMo one is no longer relevant) one of which is very close to the original I used in NaNoWriMo, but with the changes I wanted after having completed the 50k. The other one is no where near complete, but what I have done is, in my own opinion, better than the completed one.
The problem is I'm having trouble completing this outline. I keep going back to it and I don't seem to be able to get any further, so for now I'm going to set it to one side. I am going to start writing and editing the text I do have in order to get my second draft done. When the second draft is done, then I'll go back and see if the third outline is any good or of any help. If it isn't I'll delete it.
I should say that the beginnings of both outlines are almost identical, but they rapidly diverge. I like the direction that the unfinished one takes, I just not sure that it is something I want to write. Sounds a bit weird, but it makes sense to me. I often read books that I would never think of writing.
Lottery by Patricia Woods is one such book. I loved this book. I read it in one sitting. I think it's a great concept and it is written very well. Having said that it is not a book I would write. It's just not my style, but it is a great book.
And I think that might be my problem here. The second outline might produce a great book, but I'm not convinced it's one I want to write. On the other hand, maybe it's the one I need to write.
Monday 7 December 2009
Outlining
At least that is what I should be doing, writing a new outline. Instead I'm surfing the web, doing my job, cleaning the house etc. In fact anything but writing a new outline. I am a little stuck at the moment, however that shouldn't stop me, but it has.
My excuse is that I'm looking for new inspiration to add to my story as well as boosting what I already have. That's just an excuse. I'm not really doing anything. Part of this is post NaNoWriMo exhaustion. I've been so intensely involved that I needed a break.
The other part is fear. Fear of failing, of being bad, of just not being able to finish what I've started, so why not fail now and do something else instead. None of this is real, it's just in my head. Part of me wants to work on several projects at once to increase my chances of at least one working out.
I know that if I start multiple stories, none will ever get finished. I have to concentrate on one and right now, that's difficult. It's time to knuckle down and get on with it. I know I can, trouble is will I?
One constructive thing I have been doing, is reading. Several books so far and I've another 4 I would like to read. At least 2 have been so bad, it's amazing they ever got published in the first place. Though both had interesting concepts, but, trust me, the writing was atrocious.
One book I couldn't get beyond the first page. It was that awful. I know I've read the book before, but how I managed it, I do not know. Another, one of the really bad books, had so many "She got home, had some dinner and a drink, then went to bed" scenes it was truly amazing. Well, they weren't really scenes, but you know what I mean.
The one I'm currently reading is very well written. It's not a subject I would write about, but that's just personal. The flow is good, but I think there are parts that could easily been cut to make the whole thing tighter, but on the whole these are few and far between. If I had written this book, I would be very happy. I know it's not going to win awards, but it is a good read and that is what is important to me.
My excuse is that I'm looking for new inspiration to add to my story as well as boosting what I already have. That's just an excuse. I'm not really doing anything. Part of this is post NaNoWriMo exhaustion. I've been so intensely involved that I needed a break.
The other part is fear. Fear of failing, of being bad, of just not being able to finish what I've started, so why not fail now and do something else instead. None of this is real, it's just in my head. Part of me wants to work on several projects at once to increase my chances of at least one working out.
I know that if I start multiple stories, none will ever get finished. I have to concentrate on one and right now, that's difficult. It's time to knuckle down and get on with it. I know I can, trouble is will I?
One constructive thing I have been doing, is reading. Several books so far and I've another 4 I would like to read. At least 2 have been so bad, it's amazing they ever got published in the first place. Though both had interesting concepts, but, trust me, the writing was atrocious.
One book I couldn't get beyond the first page. It was that awful. I know I've read the book before, but how I managed it, I do not know. Another, one of the really bad books, had so many "She got home, had some dinner and a drink, then went to bed" scenes it was truly amazing. Well, they weren't really scenes, but you know what I mean.
The one I'm currently reading is very well written. It's not a subject I would write about, but that's just personal. The flow is good, but I think there are parts that could easily been cut to make the whole thing tighter, but on the whole these are few and far between. If I had written this book, I would be very happy. I know it's not going to win awards, but it is a good read and that is what is important to me.
Thursday 3 December 2009
Progress and Posts
I am making progress, but it is very slow at the moment. The upshot of this is that I will not be writing a new post every day. Instead I will update my blog 2-3 times a week, more if I happen to be doing well and when I am in a writing frenzy, then I'll update everyday.
But for the next two weeks or so, things will be quieter. I'm working on my outline and refining my characters, including either renaming or simply naming a couple of them. They aren't actually changing, just getting a cosmetic makeover. A bit like the outline.
Hopefully just before Christmas I will start writing in earnest again.
But for the next two weeks or so, things will be quieter. I'm working on my outline and refining my characters, including either renaming or simply naming a couple of them. They aren't actually changing, just getting a cosmetic makeover. A bit like the outline.
Hopefully just before Christmas I will start writing in earnest again.
Wednesday 2 December 2009
Congratulations to all!
Congratulations to all NaNoWriMo Winners and to everyone who met their own goals. I hope you all enjoyed yourselves no matter what the outcome and I hope you are happy with what you've achieved. You should be.
I meant to write this yesterday, but ended up working and dealing with real life instead. Today is very full as well, so I writing now as I don't think I'll get another chance. Tomorrow should be quieter...
I meant to write this yesterday, but ended up working and dealing with real life instead. Today is very full as well, so I writing now as I don't think I'll get another chance. Tomorrow should be quieter...
Monday 30 November 2009
New Outline
Returning to the outline was definitely the right thing to do. I'll probably be working on this for the next week or so. The corpses remain the same, as does the killer. The story arc remains intact - the killer returns, kills people, gets caught - but the telling of the story is changing.
I have a different reason for bringing everyone together and a minor character is now the MC (Main Character). The focus is also shifting slightly. I might change the POV (Point Of View), but I'm currently undecided at the moment. The POV will shift slightly, just not change completely. I will probably write the opening using at least two different POVs and see how they work.
Of course the whole thing may change again, but I'm happier with this newer version than with the previous one. I probably won't use much of what I've already written, but I will use most of the scenes. These will have to be re-written due to the change of MC and POV.
I have a different reason for bringing everyone together and a minor character is now the MC (Main Character). The focus is also shifting slightly. I might change the POV (Point Of View), but I'm currently undecided at the moment. The POV will shift slightly, just not change completely. I will probably write the opening using at least two different POVs and see how they work.
Of course the whole thing may change again, but I'm happier with this newer version than with the previous one. I probably won't use much of what I've already written, but I will use most of the scenes. These will have to be re-written due to the change of MC and POV.
Verified!
I just verified and my word count was given as 51992 words. My word processor said I had 52020 words. I'm curious what the missing 28 words are.
One other point, this year I didn't have to expand all my contractions to win. One year, three or four years ago, I changed all my "don't" and "can't" etc. to "do not" and "can not" etc. in order to win.
And of course I didn't have to write a lot about nothing to make up the word count either. Both indicate progress on my part and I'm happy about that. Now back to the outline/synopsis.
The Last Day
I am going to verify my NaNoWriMo in a moment. It will end up as about 52k words. I haven't written anything since last week. I can't think of anything to write. Nothing. I need some more scenes, but right now I can't think of any.
What I need to do is go back to the outline and re-write it so that it matches the story I've written. Then I can create the new scenes. At least that's the theory.
Over the last few days I've tried just sitting down and writing, but it isn't working. I have no idea what I need at the moment. I'm getting lost. So it's time to review, delete and re-write.
I'm off to verify my first draft, knowing it is woefully incomplete and in need of a miracle. Let's hope in the next few weeks I find one...
What I need to do is go back to the outline and re-write it so that it matches the story I've written. Then I can create the new scenes. At least that's the theory.
Over the last few days I've tried just sitting down and writing, but it isn't working. I have no idea what I need at the moment. I'm getting lost. So it's time to review, delete and re-write.
I'm off to verify my first draft, knowing it is woefully incomplete and in need of a miracle. Let's hope in the next few weeks I find one...
Thursday 26 November 2009
Day Twenty Six
And again I have written 0 words. It's a good thing that I am already over 50k, because there's a chance I won't be able to write until the weekend.
Work got in the way. All the things I have been putting off, had to finally be done. So the day went in a blink. Looking on the bright side, I did get a lot of things done.
I gave to go out this evening, so I know I won't get anything done when I get back. Still there's always tomorrow...
Work got in the way. All the things I have been putting off, had to finally be done. So the day went in a blink. Looking on the bright side, I did get a lot of things done.
I gave to go out this evening, so I know I won't get anything done when I get back. Still there's always tomorrow...
Day Twenty Five
I didn't write anything yesterday. Not a single word. I didn't even open up the file. Hopefully today, 26th, will be better. All I have to do is think of something to write.
Tuesday 24 November 2009
Update day 24
So far today I have written 2270 words. I'm not sure I will write much more, hence I decided to write this post. My total is 52020 words. This is actually higher than I thought it would be, as I was unsure that I would write too much once I had reached the magic 50k.
But I reached 50k and, even with work and meetings, I continued to write. So not a bad total. Unfortunately tomorrow is Wednesday and I never seem to write on a Wednesday. I will try, but no promises.
I know I need to look at the outline again and completely re-write it so that it matches the current storyline and is more detailed. This will be the synopsis in the end. At least that's the plan.
Then the only thing missing is the cover letter, but that is for another day, which lies far, far into the future. Still it fills me with dread just thinking about it.
Back to the novel. I'm hoping by the end of December to have a completed draft. All the scenes completed and storyline fixed in place with no holes. I, also, hope to have about 80k-90k written. Then I will start deleting stuff, including full scenes. The idea is, I will write more than I need, so that I can get rid of the stuff I don't need and only leave the best in the book. That's the theory, I wonder what will happen in practice...
And by completed draft, I don't mean one ready to submit (not the final draft, the novel), but one ready to be properly edited for grammar and spelling and the like. At that point I would hope that there won't be any major re-writes. Famous last words.
But I reached 50k and, even with work and meetings, I continued to write. So not a bad total. Unfortunately tomorrow is Wednesday and I never seem to write on a Wednesday. I will try, but no promises.
I know I need to look at the outline again and completely re-write it so that it matches the current storyline and is more detailed. This will be the synopsis in the end. At least that's the plan.
Then the only thing missing is the cover letter, but that is for another day, which lies far, far into the future. Still it fills me with dread just thinking about it.
Back to the novel. I'm hoping by the end of December to have a completed draft. All the scenes completed and storyline fixed in place with no holes. I, also, hope to have about 80k-90k written. Then I will start deleting stuff, including full scenes. The idea is, I will write more than I need, so that I can get rid of the stuff I don't need and only leave the best in the book. That's the theory, I wonder what will happen in practice...
And by completed draft, I don't mean one ready to submit (not the final draft, the novel), but one ready to be properly edited for grammar and spelling and the like. At that point I would hope that there won't be any major re-writes. Famous last words.
Day Twenty Four
I just passed the 50000 word mark. My total word count, for my original story, is 50005 words. NaNoWriMo is won! Now to finish the book.
Monday 23 November 2009
Day Twenty Three
I had trouble getting started today, which is not surprising due to the fact that I haven't written a word since last Thursday and that was only a few hundred words.
I wrote just over 2700 words today. My total is 49750 words. Only 250 words away from completing NaNoWriMo and a long way from completing my first novel.
I could write those 250 words today, but I think they will be improved if I leave them until tomorrow. There is no rush as there are still seven days to go.
I will continue to add to my word count until the 30th November, when I will verify my word count. Then I'll begin the real editing. That should be interesting. Or do I mean terrifying.
And yes, I know I repeat myself a lot, but as this blog represents my thought process that isn't so surprising. It does help me keep on track and that is important.
I wrote just over 2700 words today. My total is 49750 words. Only 250 words away from completing NaNoWriMo and a long way from completing my first novel.
I could write those 250 words today, but I think they will be improved if I leave them until tomorrow. There is no rush as there are still seven days to go.
I will continue to add to my word count until the 30th November, when I will verify my word count. Then I'll begin the real editing. That should be interesting. Or do I mean terrifying.
And yes, I know I repeat myself a lot, but as this blog represents my thought process that isn't so surprising. It does help me keep on track and that is important.
The Weekend - Days 21 and 22
I didn't write a word the whole weekend. I was very busy, but that is no excuse. On Saturday I took the kids to 2 parties and Sunday I was in recovery.
Still the kids were happy even if they were a little hyperactive. I was tired. Still am, but never mind.
So I still have 3000 words to write before I reach 50k. Then I still need to add at least another 25k to make my draft into a novel. I am halfway through reading what is already written. Most can actually stay.
I just need to add more. Not to mention I need to redo the outline. The change of murderer requires a few changes, not to mention the fact I changed my mind about one detail after I wrote the first scene introducing that detail. The scene does contain other information that is going to stay so I only have to delete or re-write the parts that are no longer relevant.
And I still have a missing body or planted evidence, which still needs explanation. I have no idea how I'm going to do either. I don't think I'll introduce another body, which means I need to explain the planted evidence instead.
Today I hope to write at least 2500 words. If I'm very lucky I'll reach the 50k mark. I will continue to write and I won't verify my word count until the last day. Hopefully it will be significantly more than 50k.
And while re-reading this post before publishing it, I just worked out how I can change my detail to allow give a reason for the planted evidence. I need to change the speaker, but otherwise it will work.
Still the kids were happy even if they were a little hyperactive. I was tired. Still am, but never mind.
So I still have 3000 words to write before I reach 50k. Then I still need to add at least another 25k to make my draft into a novel. I am halfway through reading what is already written. Most can actually stay.
I just need to add more. Not to mention I need to redo the outline. The change of murderer requires a few changes, not to mention the fact I changed my mind about one detail after I wrote the first scene introducing that detail. The scene does contain other information that is going to stay so I only have to delete or re-write the parts that are no longer relevant.
And I still have a missing body or planted evidence, which still needs explanation. I have no idea how I'm going to do either. I don't think I'll introduce another body, which means I need to explain the planted evidence instead.
Today I hope to write at least 2500 words. If I'm very lucky I'll reach the 50k mark. I will continue to write and I won't verify my word count until the last day. Hopefully it will be significantly more than 50k.
And while re-reading this post before publishing it, I just worked out how I can change my detail to allow give a reason for the planted evidence. I need to change the speaker, but otherwise it will work.
Friday 20 November 2009
Day Twenty
Bad day today. It wasn't the writing, it was everything else and that affected the writing. The result was that I wrote just 886 words. I guess that's just the way it goes sometimes.
I will write over the weekend. I will. Until I don't do it of course and by then I should have thought of some excuse.
So my total for the original story is 47028 words and there is still ten days to go. Somehow I feel quite bad that I haven't finished yet, but I shouldn't. What I have written so far is better than anything I've ever written before. It's not perfect, but it is an improvement.
And yet I feel that I'm not doing enough. I think this is because I always won NaNoWriMo by writing 50k in ten days and so far I've spent 20 days writing just 47k. Doesn't really make sense, but it's how I feel. I know I need quantity, but I need quality too.
I will write over the weekend. I will. Until I don't do it of course and by then I should have thought of some excuse.
So my total for the original story is 47028 words and there is still ten days to go. Somehow I feel quite bad that I haven't finished yet, but I shouldn't. What I have written so far is better than anything I've ever written before. It's not perfect, but it is an improvement.
And yet I feel that I'm not doing enough. I think this is because I always won NaNoWriMo by writing 50k in ten days and so far I've spent 20 days writing just 47k. Doesn't really make sense, but it's how I feel. I know I need quantity, but I need quality too.
Thursday 19 November 2009
Day Nineteen
I switched back to the original story today and I have so far written 3629 words. I am going to drop the words I wrote for the other story and move them to another file. So my grand total is 46142 words.
I probably won't reach 50k tomorrow, but I might over the weekend and even if I write nothing at all on Saturday or Sunday, I will hit 50k on Monday. I'm way ahead of schedule. I know I won't end up with anywhere near 75k before the end of November, but I will have written more towards a book than ever before.
I've hit 50k for four different NaNoWriMos. In each case, that was it. I did nothing more on the stories and to be truthful, they weren't very good. In fact most of the time they didn't really have a story line buried anywhere in them.
This year I do have a story line and I have scenes and I have subplots and everything else. This year I planned and this year I intend to edit and rewrite until I have a novel. I've never done that before and it should be interesting to see how it goes.
I probably won't reach 50k tomorrow, but I might over the weekend and even if I write nothing at all on Saturday or Sunday, I will hit 50k on Monday. I'm way ahead of schedule. I know I won't end up with anywhere near 75k before the end of November, but I will have written more towards a book than ever before.
I've hit 50k for four different NaNoWriMos. In each case, that was it. I did nothing more on the stories and to be truthful, they weren't very good. In fact most of the time they didn't really have a story line buried anywhere in them.
This year I do have a story line and I have scenes and I have subplots and everything else. This year I planned and this year I intend to edit and rewrite until I have a novel. I've never done that before and it should be interesting to see how it goes.
Wednesday 18 November 2009
Day Eighteen
OK. I'm starting to see a pattern here. Wednesdays are no good for writing. My schedule is much more erratic and this means that my usual writing time isn't available. And no I can't move things round, unfortunately work doesn't allow for that.
I might write this afternoon, but I might not. I did print out what I have already written and I'll start reading through it to find out where I can add. (And where I need to delete.) I won't rewrite anything yet, but I will mark it out for later.
Still 12 days to go, so I should still make it. It is definitely harder now I've finished the story line. I think I should have marked the places that I skipped, so that they were easier to find. But I didn't.
The story needs to reach 75k to 90k in order to be of publishable length, so I must be able to add in stuff somewhere. Either that or I need to add to the body count again.
So my status so far:-
Original story 42500 words (approx.) and story line is complete.
New story just under 3000 words and only just getting started and I have no idea where this ones going.
If I stick to the original, to win NaNoWriMo I need another 7500 words, which should be doable.
If I work out a very detailed outline plus some scenes for the second story, I only need another 4500 words. All numbers are approximate values. In this second case, I would end up with 2 "first drafts", but I fear I'll get sidetracked if I do.
See http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3138144 for a good explanation for my fear.
The link is also in the comments of yesterday's entry. All thanks go to Bill, because it is such a perfect match.
I will add one little thing, all this blogging is definitely helping my spelling.
I might write this afternoon, but I might not. I did print out what I have already written and I'll start reading through it to find out where I can add. (And where I need to delete.) I won't rewrite anything yet, but I will mark it out for later.
Still 12 days to go, so I should still make it. It is definitely harder now I've finished the story line. I think I should have marked the places that I skipped, so that they were easier to find. But I didn't.
The story needs to reach 75k to 90k in order to be of publishable length, so I must be able to add in stuff somewhere. Either that or I need to add to the body count again.
So my status so far:-
Original story 42500 words (approx.) and story line is complete.
New story just under 3000 words and only just getting started and I have no idea where this ones going.
If I stick to the original, to win NaNoWriMo I need another 7500 words, which should be doable.
If I work out a very detailed outline plus some scenes for the second story, I only need another 4500 words. All numbers are approximate values. In this second case, I would end up with 2 "first drafts", but I fear I'll get sidetracked if I do.
See http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/node/3138144 for a good explanation for my fear.
The link is also in the comments of yesterday's entry. All thanks go to Bill, because it is such a perfect match.
I will add one little thing, all this blogging is definitely helping my spelling.
Tuesday 17 November 2009
Day Seventeen of NaNoWriMo
So writing was easy today. Better than I expected. However (in my own opinion) I did cheat a bit. I started writing something new. I have added it to the NaNoWriMo word count, but I might delete it from there later. For some reason this new story got stuck in my head and I had to get rid of it. I should add that it is only the beginning of a story, but it's not bad despite that. At least I think it's not bad....
So today I wrote 2610 words, giving a grand total of 45123 words. However it is across two stories. But I did have to write the second one.
Tonight I plan to print out what I've written so far and then start editing it. I'll cross out the bits I don't want and I'll mark where I need to add stuff. Hopefully tomorrow I'll write some of the new stuff. From the main story I won't delete anything, just white it out. Still undecided about the second story. Maybe I'll move that one.
Still there are still 13 days to go, so I should do OK.
So today I wrote 2610 words, giving a grand total of 45123 words. However it is across two stories. But I did have to write the second one.
Tonight I plan to print out what I've written so far and then start editing it. I'll cross out the bits I don't want and I'll mark where I need to add stuff. Hopefully tomorrow I'll write some of the new stuff. From the main story I won't delete anything, just white it out. Still undecided about the second story. Maybe I'll move that one.
Still there are still 13 days to go, so I should do OK.
Monday 16 November 2009
Quick update
I thought I'd just have one last try at a few more words and I made my daily goal of 2500 words exactly. So my total for day 16 is 42513 words.
And I am happy.
And I am happy.
Day Sixteen
So here we go again. Unfortunately that's the way I feel today. Still I've so far written 1991 words, taking my grand total to 42004. Not bad, but I haven't reached my daily goal.
At least not yet. I might write some more. I might not.
The story line is now finished. I'm just starting on the aftermath section. In which, I'm putting in any missing explanations and showing what happens to the characters. This section will almost completely vanish in the final version, but I want it here so that I don't miss anything. If the novel works properly, there should only be need for a short summary at the end.
Only 8k words left to find in order to "win" NaNoWriMo and two weeks left to write them. From that point of view, I'm ahead.
At least not yet. I might write some more. I might not.
The story line is now finished. I'm just starting on the aftermath section. In which, I'm putting in any missing explanations and showing what happens to the characters. This section will almost completely vanish in the final version, but I want it here so that I don't miss anything. If the novel works properly, there should only be need for a short summary at the end.
Only 8k words left to find in order to "win" NaNoWriMo and two weeks left to write them. From that point of view, I'm ahead.
Sunday 15 November 2009
Day Fifteen
So I wrote today. I managed 2456 words, which is just under my target of 2500 words per day. My total is a very respectable 40013 words and the story isn't finished yet.
I thought that it would be over by now and I would be wrapping up the loose ends, but due to a change in the killer I'm still to finish. It won't be long now, probably around the 45k mark. Then some wrapping up, most of which probably won't make it beyond the first draft, but I want to include it for now.
After that I will add some scenes so that I go over 50k and then I'll start editing. Hopefully by the end of NaNoWriMo, I'll have something decent to work with. And a good habit that I can keep up.
I thought that it would be over by now and I would be wrapping up the loose ends, but due to a change in the killer I'm still to finish. It won't be long now, probably around the 45k mark. Then some wrapping up, most of which probably won't make it beyond the first draft, but I want to include it for now.
After that I will add some scenes so that I go over 50k and then I'll start editing. Hopefully by the end of NaNoWriMo, I'll have something decent to work with. And a good habit that I can keep up.
Day Fourteen
Well I didn't write at all yesterday. So my total for the day was 0 words. Real life got in the way, but I did get all my Christmas shopping for my family in England done. So now all I have to do is wrap the presents, put them into boxes and send the boxes abroad. If my family are very lucky, they'll get their presents before Christmas this year.
As for today, day fifteen, I'm already at 500 words, so maybe I'll make my goal. We'll see.
As for today, day fifteen, I'm already at 500 words, so maybe I'll make my goal. We'll see.
Friday 13 November 2009
Day Thirteen Update
Starting to write today was like pulling teeth - extremely painful.
The result was 2546 words, giving a total of 37557 words. So I made my 2500 goal. Just.
I guess, and from current experience, bad days are more common than good ones. I don't know if this is because this I am new at this writing business or whether it is just me or whether other writers find this as well.
Now there is one difference here to most writing situations and that is NaNoWriMo. I have to write everyday. I can't decide to edit instead. Having said that, I think it is a very good thing.
My reasons:-
1) I am actually going to complete my story. No procrastinating and using editing as an excuse. I will have written the story.
2) It forces me beyond the "I don't want to write" or "I can't write" stages of the day and it makes me write. I feel guilty if I don't write something, even if it is only 400 words.
When I finally finish the story, I will go back and edit, and add, and do all of that, but when I reach that point I will have a first draft. It won't be 50k, I know that, but I will have a draft. I'll add to it until I reach 50k and then do some more serious editing.
And the other thing that happened today was that my nicely planned reveal has completely changed. The murderer is someone who I thought was completely innocent, but can be completely guilty without having to change the story line. It was not one I had considered before, but it works.
At least it works at the moment. Perhaps when I re-read it all, it won't make any sense. We'll see.
The result was 2546 words, giving a total of 37557 words. So I made my 2500 goal. Just.
I guess, and from current experience, bad days are more common than good ones. I don't know if this is because this I am new at this writing business or whether it is just me or whether other writers find this as well.
Now there is one difference here to most writing situations and that is NaNoWriMo. I have to write everyday. I can't decide to edit instead. Having said that, I think it is a very good thing.
My reasons:-
1) I am actually going to complete my story. No procrastinating and using editing as an excuse. I will have written the story.
2) It forces me beyond the "I don't want to write" or "I can't write" stages of the day and it makes me write. I feel guilty if I don't write something, even if it is only 400 words.
When I finally finish the story, I will go back and edit, and add, and do all of that, but when I reach that point I will have a first draft. It won't be 50k, I know that, but I will have a draft. I'll add to it until I reach 50k and then do some more serious editing.
And the other thing that happened today was that my nicely planned reveal has completely changed. The murderer is someone who I thought was completely innocent, but can be completely guilty without having to change the story line. It was not one I had considered before, but it works.
At least it works at the moment. Perhaps when I re-read it all, it won't make any sense. We'll see.
Thursday 12 November 2009
Day Twelve Update
So I reached 35011 words. Amazingly, I'm still going.
Today I wrote a total of 3520 words, which is not bad as I was having a bad day. I wrote in short 500 word sections. Then did other things, such as work or lunch. Slowly the writing got a bit easier and I went over my goal of 2500 words. So I made up 1000 words missed yesterday, which is not bad.
I just had a difficult time persuading myself to write. I want to go back and edit stuff, deleting and moving parts around. Instead I wrote and I had to force myself, but I did it. I know at the end of NaNoWriMo, I've got a lot of story to move and delete.
Still I should reach the end soon, which will be a relief. I will have to add either more scenes or more detail to reach 50k, but I can also start moving text so it makes more sense within the story. And of course, I can blank out bits that I don't want. (Turn the text color to the same as the background color.)
Hopefully I'll be a lot further on by the end of NaNoWriMo not just with the story, but also with the novel.
Today I wrote a total of 3520 words, which is not bad as I was having a bad day. I wrote in short 500 word sections. Then did other things, such as work or lunch. Slowly the writing got a bit easier and I went over my goal of 2500 words. So I made up 1000 words missed yesterday, which is not bad.
I just had a difficult time persuading myself to write. I want to go back and edit stuff, deleting and moving parts around. Instead I wrote and I had to force myself, but I did it. I know at the end of NaNoWriMo, I've got a lot of story to move and delete.
Still I should reach the end soon, which will be a relief. I will have to add either more scenes or more detail to reach 50k, but I can also start moving text so it makes more sense within the story. And of course, I can blank out bits that I don't want. (Turn the text color to the same as the background color.)
Hopefully I'll be a lot further on by the end of NaNoWriMo not just with the story, but also with the novel.
Day Eleven
I wrote practically nothing on day eleven. In fact I wrote just over 400 words all day. I have no excuse. I just got caught up in work and my home life. However I will try and catch up at least some of the missed words, but I'm not going to worry about it.
Even with missing a day, I still have plenty of time to reach my goal. I currently have written 31491 words and, if I write every day, will pass the 50k mark in about a week. As it is only the 12th November, I have plenty of time, not just for writing but also to begin the first edit.
And hello to Wendy :)
Even with missing a day, I still have plenty of time to reach my goal. I currently have written 31491 words and, if I write every day, will pass the 50k mark in about a week. As it is only the 12th November, I have plenty of time, not just for writing but also to begin the first edit.
And hello to Wendy :)
Tuesday 10 November 2009
Day Ten
Well today I hit 31k words about which I am very happy. I might write some more later, but for now that's it. So my total written today is 2659 words.
I definitely much more relaxed about the new daily goal and I find I can write better. I'm less concerned with hitting the 5k and more concerned about the story and where it is going.
I still think that I will finish the storyline before I reach 50K, never mind 75k. However I know I've skipped over sections and there are definitely some scenes missing, so I can go back and add.
I know I've contradicted myself at least once, and probably more times. These I am going to leave in situ at the moment and only delete them or re-write them once NaNoWriMo is over. Chris Baty would skin me alive if I deleted something during this month.
However once I'm over 50k and the storyline is finished, I am going to start some editing. I just won't get rid of it before November 30th. I will add to the file and move sections around. This means I should finish with a good total.
The further I get through the story, the better I can see how it should be. If that makes any sense. The story is definitely evolving and it is not the one I originally thought I would write. Having said that, it is one that I like and I think I can make it into a book.
I don't think it will be the longest book in history, but I hoping for 75k to 90k in total. I would guess it will end up at the lower end of that scale. I know I'm writing a first draft, but I can start to see what might actually come out of it.
Altogether it's been another good day.
I definitely much more relaxed about the new daily goal and I find I can write better. I'm less concerned with hitting the 5k and more concerned about the story and where it is going.
I still think that I will finish the storyline before I reach 50K, never mind 75k. However I know I've skipped over sections and there are definitely some scenes missing, so I can go back and add.
I know I've contradicted myself at least once, and probably more times. These I am going to leave in situ at the moment and only delete them or re-write them once NaNoWriMo is over. Chris Baty would skin me alive if I deleted something during this month.
However once I'm over 50k and the storyline is finished, I am going to start some editing. I just won't get rid of it before November 30th. I will add to the file and move sections around. This means I should finish with a good total.
The further I get through the story, the better I can see how it should be. If that makes any sense. The story is definitely evolving and it is not the one I originally thought I would write. Having said that, it is one that I like and I think I can make it into a book.
I don't think it will be the longest book in history, but I hoping for 75k to 90k in total. I would guess it will end up at the lower end of that scale. I know I'm writing a first draft, but I can start to see what might actually come out of it.
Altogether it's been another good day.
Monday 9 November 2009
Update day nine.
Well today went very well. Much better than I ever expected it to. I actually wrote almost 5000 words without much effort at all.
I think that this lower day goal I have set myself is working. I'm not spending my time worrying about whether or not I can write 5k words. I just write.
So my total for today is 28360 words and the story is going smoothly. I am more almost two-thirds of the way through the storyline, but much less than that on the word count. I am not worried, because I know that when I finish the storyline, there are plenty of scenes to go back to where I can add detail or change things from telling to showing.
I deliberately skipped over some scenes because I didn't want to write them at that time, but that means I can easily up my word count. I think that there are some scenes that are also missing. I have added a few already. I will go back over the beginning of the story and add a few extra there.
Overall it's been a good day. The words came easily and I wrote a lot of them. Let's see if this continues tomorrow.
I think that this lower day goal I have set myself is working. I'm not spending my time worrying about whether or not I can write 5k words. I just write.
So my total for today is 28360 words and the story is going smoothly. I am more almost two-thirds of the way through the storyline, but much less than that on the word count. I am not worried, because I know that when I finish the storyline, there are plenty of scenes to go back to where I can add detail or change things from telling to showing.
I deliberately skipped over some scenes because I didn't want to write them at that time, but that means I can easily up my word count. I think that there are some scenes that are also missing. I have added a few already. I will go back over the beginning of the story and add a few extra there.
Overall it's been a good day. The words came easily and I wrote a lot of them. Let's see if this continues tomorrow.
Sunday 8 November 2009
Update Day 8
Well all I had was a bad cold. I soon got over it and I did manage some writing over the weekend. My total is 23364 words in the first week of NaNoWriMo. Not quite the 30k I had originally set myself, but still not a bad total.
This week I'm going to write a bit slower and attempt to average 2500 words a day. This should give me an extra 12500 words over Monday to Friday. I'll use the weekend to make up any shortfalls that may occur and perhaps to give myself a boost for the following week.
Overall I'm happy with how the first week turned out. Let's hope the rest are as good.
This week I'm going to write a bit slower and attempt to average 2500 words a day. This should give me an extra 12500 words over Monday to Friday. I'll use the weekend to make up any shortfalls that may occur and perhaps to give myself a boost for the following week.
Overall I'm happy with how the first week turned out. Let's hope the rest are as good.
Thursday 5 November 2009
Damn it.
Ok, I'm sick. I admit it and I'm going to bed. So I'm not going to make 30000 words by the end of tomorrow. I'm probably not going to hit 30k until sometime next week.
I'm at 21k as I write this and I probably won't write any more today. If I'm lucky I'll hit 25000 words by the end of Sunday. At least it would be nice to get there. In the worst case, my total for week 1 of NaNoWriMo is 21100 words, which still gives me a nice cushion.
I might post an update if I feel up to it. Otherwise it will be next week.
Good luck all.
I'm at 21k as I write this and I probably won't write any more today. If I'm lucky I'll hit 25000 words by the end of Sunday. At least it would be nice to get there. In the worst case, my total for week 1 of NaNoWriMo is 21100 words, which still gives me a nice cushion.
I might post an update if I feel up to it. Otherwise it will be next week.
Good luck all.
Day Four Update
Well I made it to 20k words. I acutlly took my total to 20011 owrds. Not bad at all. Yesterday was a good day. The writing was much easier than Tuesday's.
Not much else to say. Except that I might change my word goal at the end of the week. At the moment I am trying to write 5000 words a day, with the goal of reaching 30000 words by the end of Friday. This is a lot of writing in a day onto of my regular work. So starting next week, I'm going to change my goal slightly.
I'm going to have 2 goals - a minimum goal and a "would-be-nice-to-get-to" (wbntgt) goal. The minimum I want to write in one day is 2500 words, which is still more than the NaNoWriMo minimum. And my wbntgt goal is 5000 words per day as I have been doing this week, but I'm not going to go to extremes to get there.
I believe that the result of this, will be a more balanced writing habit that I can continue to use after NaNoWriMo. At the moment, I find the balance completely wrong so that I find I'm not sleeping well and my hands are killing me from all the typing. Of course, if I ever give up my job, I will spend more hours writing. But for now, less is more.
I will probably change my mind next week and then again the week after and so on, until I find something that works for me and that I can use in my everyday life.
So time to write today's 5000 words and get a total of 25k words.
I hope everyone else is doing well and acheiving their own goals. Good luck to you all.
Not much else to say. Except that I might change my word goal at the end of the week. At the moment I am trying to write 5000 words a day, with the goal of reaching 30000 words by the end of Friday. This is a lot of writing in a day onto of my regular work. So starting next week, I'm going to change my goal slightly.
I'm going to have 2 goals - a minimum goal and a "would-be-nice-to-get-to" (wbntgt) goal. The minimum I want to write in one day is 2500 words, which is still more than the NaNoWriMo minimum. And my wbntgt goal is 5000 words per day as I have been doing this week, but I'm not going to go to extremes to get there.
I believe that the result of this, will be a more balanced writing habit that I can continue to use after NaNoWriMo. At the moment, I find the balance completely wrong so that I find I'm not sleeping well and my hands are killing me from all the typing. Of course, if I ever give up my job, I will spend more hours writing. But for now, less is more.
I will probably change my mind next week and then again the week after and so on, until I find something that works for me and that I can use in my everyday life.
So time to write today's 5000 words and get a total of 25k words.
I hope everyone else is doing well and acheiving their own goals. Good luck to you all.
Wednesday 4 November 2009
Day Three Update
So yesterday I was supposed to hit 15k words. I didn't make it. I only reached 14610 words, which means I missed my goal by 390 words. Not too bad, but also not good. I mustn't let the gap get any bigger.
I have to admit that my cunning plan to write at work was the reason I missed my target. I'd set things up so that I would be running simulations all week. Unfortunately events took over and I actually had to do other work as well, meaning I had less time to write.
Well that was one of the reasons. The other was that yesterday I had a bad day. I had trouble writing, even though I knew what I had to write, I just couldn't seem to get into it. But I persevered and ended up with a decent total. Towards the end of the day, it did get easier to write. It never flowed quite as well as the previous day, but it wasn't that bad.
Of course now I'm worrying I won't have enough story and I won't make 50000 words. I get the same worry every year and I always seem to find enough to write about. I also know that I can go back and fill in some of the parts that I've skipped over. Where I've used a lot of telling, I can replace it with showing. It will take longer to write, but it will produce many more words.
If I'm having trouble with a scene, I tend to tell the reader about the scene. I've done that in a couple of places so far. I know that writing those scenes so that I show the reader the action instead will take me quite a bit of time and mean I will need to look up some details first. If I have time at the end, I will do this. But only if I have the time.
For now I will continue as I have been going and try to write another 5000 words today and reach 30000 words by the end of Friday. If I fail, then I'll make up the difference over the weekend. If I succeed then I'll take the weekend off - for the most part. I'll probably write 2500 to 5000 words over the two days, but this is a lot less than I've been doing per day so far.
So my tally so far: 1 good day and 2 bad/not-so-good days
I have to admit that my cunning plan to write at work was the reason I missed my target. I'd set things up so that I would be running simulations all week. Unfortunately events took over and I actually had to do other work as well, meaning I had less time to write.
Well that was one of the reasons. The other was that yesterday I had a bad day. I had trouble writing, even though I knew what I had to write, I just couldn't seem to get into it. But I persevered and ended up with a decent total. Towards the end of the day, it did get easier to write. It never flowed quite as well as the previous day, but it wasn't that bad.
Of course now I'm worrying I won't have enough story and I won't make 50000 words. I get the same worry every year and I always seem to find enough to write about. I also know that I can go back and fill in some of the parts that I've skipped over. Where I've used a lot of telling, I can replace it with showing. It will take longer to write, but it will produce many more words.
If I'm having trouble with a scene, I tend to tell the reader about the scene. I've done that in a couple of places so far. I know that writing those scenes so that I show the reader the action instead will take me quite a bit of time and mean I will need to look up some details first. If I have time at the end, I will do this. But only if I have the time.
For now I will continue as I have been going and try to write another 5000 words today and reach 30000 words by the end of Friday. If I fail, then I'll make up the difference over the weekend. If I succeed then I'll take the weekend off - for the most part. I'll probably write 2500 to 5000 words over the two days, but this is a lot less than I've been doing per day so far.
So my tally so far: 1 good day and 2 bad/not-so-good days
Tuesday 3 November 2009
I reached 10K
To answer Bill's comment from yesterday: yes, I do care about my characters. In fact yesterday's writing went extremely well, much better than I had been expecting. I really got into the story and made up for the low word count on the first day. I wrote 6272 words yesterday and ended the day with a grand total of 10029 words. Pretty good even if I do say so myself.
My goal this week is to reach 30000 words by Friday. That's 5000 words a day, which I know I can manage easily. Anything above that is more of a stretch. I know yesterday I wrote more, but the last 1000 words were very difficult and took the longest amount of time to write. Not because I had nothing to say, but because I start to struggle at this point even if I have a clear path and I know where the story is going.
The most that I have written in one day was over 10000 words, but that was so hard. It was made worse by the fact that I had no outline to follow and the result was dreadful. Yesterday, I had a clear outline of which scenes I was writing, but the last part was still hard to do. I know that when I look back over what I have written, that last section will be one of the worst and need the most changes.
However if I can keep up the momentum, I should have no problem finishing before 30th November, even if I need to take some days off. I just have to write whenever I can and not make excuses for myself. Remember to reach 50k, when writing 5k per day, you only need 10 days. To reach 75k, you need 15 days.
So what I have learnt is that I can write 5k a day and I should write 5k a day. If I miss a day, it won't be a disaster, but I need to get back writing as soon as I can. I can't write more than 5k a day easily. Maybe that should be I am not happy in writing more than 5k a day. I find it becomes to much of a strain on my poor little brain...
And as for my story, that's going really well. It is definitely mutating, but I knew that would happen. Some of the minor characters are taking over a bit, but that isn't a bad thing and some, which I thought were a little boring, are becoming far more interesting. The story line is still intact and my preferred ending looks like it will still happen.
So onwards and upwards...to 15ooo words.
My goal this week is to reach 30000 words by Friday. That's 5000 words a day, which I know I can manage easily. Anything above that is more of a stretch. I know yesterday I wrote more, but the last 1000 words were very difficult and took the longest amount of time to write. Not because I had nothing to say, but because I start to struggle at this point even if I have a clear path and I know where the story is going.
The most that I have written in one day was over 10000 words, but that was so hard. It was made worse by the fact that I had no outline to follow and the result was dreadful. Yesterday, I had a clear outline of which scenes I was writing, but the last part was still hard to do. I know that when I look back over what I have written, that last section will be one of the worst and need the most changes.
However if I can keep up the momentum, I should have no problem finishing before 30th November, even if I need to take some days off. I just have to write whenever I can and not make excuses for myself. Remember to reach 50k, when writing 5k per day, you only need 10 days. To reach 75k, you need 15 days.
So what I have learnt is that I can write 5k a day and I should write 5k a day. If I miss a day, it won't be a disaster, but I need to get back writing as soon as I can. I can't write more than 5k a day easily. Maybe that should be I am not happy in writing more than 5k a day. I find it becomes to much of a strain on my poor little brain...
And as for my story, that's going really well. It is definitely mutating, but I knew that would happen. Some of the minor characters are taking over a bit, but that isn't a bad thing and some, which I thought were a little boring, are becoming far more interesting. The story line is still intact and my preferred ending looks like it will still happen.
So onwards and upwards...to 15ooo words.
Monday 2 November 2009
NaNoWriMo has begun!
Which will come as no surprise to most. I have started to. I wrote 3747 words yesterday. Less than I had hoped for (which was 5000 words), but more than I needed to write (min. 1667 words).
What I do know is this, and it is as I suspected, I have no sense of urgency at all in my writing. I was afraid that this would happen. Thirty days seems like such a long time and I know I can write 50000 words in ten days.
The upshot is that I feel like I don't have to write. I have no motivation to write. I have to force myself to sit down and write. And that worries me. I am afraid that at some point soon, I'm just not going to do it and I'll leave it until the last few days as usual and write very badly as usual.
One difference I have this year that I didn't have last year is a detailed outline of the story. This might help me write better at least, so that I might end up with a coherent story at the end of November, which is more than I have achieved before. It will need serious editing and I do mean serious, but maybe having the story there will be enough.
Perhaps what I need to do is set myself one or two week deadlines. So I have to write 25000 words in one week or I need to edit a chapter a week. Something like that. Maybe that will work for me.
Well I just hope that I can complete NaNoWriMo and end up with something usable. Here's to the next 5000 words.
What I do know is this, and it is as I suspected, I have no sense of urgency at all in my writing. I was afraid that this would happen. Thirty days seems like such a long time and I know I can write 50000 words in ten days.
The upshot is that I feel like I don't have to write. I have no motivation to write. I have to force myself to sit down and write. And that worries me. I am afraid that at some point soon, I'm just not going to do it and I'll leave it until the last few days as usual and write very badly as usual.
One difference I have this year that I didn't have last year is a detailed outline of the story. This might help me write better at least, so that I might end up with a coherent story at the end of November, which is more than I have achieved before. It will need serious editing and I do mean serious, but maybe having the story there will be enough.
Perhaps what I need to do is set myself one or two week deadlines. So I have to write 25000 words in one week or I need to edit a chapter a week. Something like that. Maybe that will work for me.
Well I just hope that I can complete NaNoWriMo and end up with something usable. Here's to the next 5000 words.
Tuesday 27 October 2009
Cookies and numbers
I've added a cookie to the template of this blog. It should tell me how many times and when people do look at this blog.
It shouldn't affect you, the reader. However if it does, let me know by leaving a comment. If it causes too many problems, I'll delete it.
I only added it because I love statistics. Sad I know, but true. I keep a spreadsheet throughout NaNoWriMo so I can analyse my performance...
And on statistics, I have actually completed the 50000 words in ten days in all the years I have completed NaNoWriMo. Not necessarily consecutive days, but always in 10 days and never starting before the 10th November for various reasons.
After last year (the first time I failed) I have decided that this year I will be starting on the 1st November, but it still remains to be seen if I actually spend more days writing. Of course it helps that the 1st falls on a Sunday.
My goal is different this year. The previous years I just wanted the 50000 words and that was it. Included in this, was a fantastic 5000 word chapter on making a sandwich. It was absolutely brilliant. I really should dig it out again, give it a good edit and see if The New Yorker (or similar) will publish it.
This time I want to actually write a real novel that has a chance to be published (with editing of course). I'm also hoping for 75000 words, as this is the length of the final book (approxiamately speaking).
And yes, I know the book will be length it needs to be, but I think 75000 sounds reasonable for a murder mystery. Of course if it's longer or shorter, I still be happy as long as it ends up as a book.
And now I've posted twice in one week. I think I'm getting addicted.
It shouldn't affect you, the reader. However if it does, let me know by leaving a comment. If it causes too many problems, I'll delete it.
I only added it because I love statistics. Sad I know, but true. I keep a spreadsheet throughout NaNoWriMo so I can analyse my performance...
And on statistics, I have actually completed the 50000 words in ten days in all the years I have completed NaNoWriMo. Not necessarily consecutive days, but always in 10 days and never starting before the 10th November for various reasons.
After last year (the first time I failed) I have decided that this year I will be starting on the 1st November, but it still remains to be seen if I actually spend more days writing. Of course it helps that the 1st falls on a Sunday.
My goal is different this year. The previous years I just wanted the 50000 words and that was it. Included in this, was a fantastic 5000 word chapter on making a sandwich. It was absolutely brilliant. I really should dig it out again, give it a good edit and see if The New Yorker (or similar) will publish it.
This time I want to actually write a real novel that has a chance to be published (with editing of course). I'm also hoping for 75000 words, as this is the length of the final book (approxiamately speaking).
And yes, I know the book will be length it needs to be, but I think 75000 sounds reasonable for a murder mystery. Of course if it's longer or shorter, I still be happy as long as it ends up as a book.
And now I've posted twice in one week. I think I'm getting addicted.
Monday 26 October 2009
So I'm back and to my shock, I have a follower! Hello Dr. Bill Irwin :)
Anyway, I still have to work a bit on my characters, but in truth I'm ready to go and there's still a week to go. The only thing that is bothering me a bit is my typing. It's truly atrocious. OK my spelling is worse, but I'm used to that.
My typing was so much better last year. I could type faster and more accurately. This year my typing is so slow and I keep on hitting the wrong keys. Just reading through this post and correcting all my typing errors, takes a lot of time. I hate to think what's going to happen with NaNoWriMo. And I keep adding spaces in everywhere. I guess it's time to break out the typing program and get a little practice in before Sunday.
Time seems to be running so lsowly at the moment. I could have sworn NaNoWriMo was only just around the corner and now it seems so far away still. Isn't relativity a wonderful thing?
So time to finish of the character biographies, do some actually real life work and pretend that time is flying past.
Here's to Sunday and Good Luck to everyone. I hope your writing flows easily and smoothly.
Anyway, I still have to work a bit on my characters, but in truth I'm ready to go and there's still a week to go. The only thing that is bothering me a bit is my typing. It's truly atrocious. OK my spelling is worse, but I'm used to that.
My typing was so much better last year. I could type faster and more accurately. This year my typing is so slow and I keep on hitting the wrong keys. Just reading through this post and correcting all my typing errors, takes a lot of time. I hate to think what's going to happen with NaNoWriMo. And I keep adding spaces in everywhere. I guess it's time to break out the typing program and get a little practice in before Sunday.
Time seems to be running so lsowly at the moment. I could have sworn NaNoWriMo was only just around the corner and now it seems so far away still. Isn't relativity a wonderful thing?
So time to finish of the character biographies, do some actually real life work and pretend that time is flying past.
Here's to Sunday and Good Luck to everyone. I hope your writing flows easily and smoothly.
Friday 16 October 2009
Going away
As I am going to away next week and unable to access the internet, I am going to update my blog today instead of next Monday.
I don't actually have much to say. I haven't done anything on the character bios. I will most likely complete them when I get back. I will be home on Thursday, so that still gives me over a week to complete them.
On the Saturday 31st October, I will review my outline, bios and any other notes I've made, so that I am all set for the 1st Novemeber. I won't, as many other people are doing, stay up until midnight so that I can start then, but instead I will get as normal on the Sunday. I should be able to write up to 10000 words that day. However anything over the 1667 words needed, will be a bonus.
As I've said before, my aim for this year is different from previous years. Before all I ever tried to do was reach 50000 words. This time I want to actually get book out. This doesn't mean that I'll write more, though that would be nice, but this time I hope that the 50000 words form a completely coherent story with conflict, plot and interesting characters. Previous attempts have had at least one of these 3, but none have had all of them.
At least I think that's been the problem. However the 5000 word description about someone making a sandwich was a true page turner...
Well I'll be back a week on Monday.
I don't actually have much to say. I haven't done anything on the character bios. I will most likely complete them when I get back. I will be home on Thursday, so that still gives me over a week to complete them.
On the Saturday 31st October, I will review my outline, bios and any other notes I've made, so that I am all set for the 1st Novemeber. I won't, as many other people are doing, stay up until midnight so that I can start then, but instead I will get as normal on the Sunday. I should be able to write up to 10000 words that day. However anything over the 1667 words needed, will be a bonus.
As I've said before, my aim for this year is different from previous years. Before all I ever tried to do was reach 50000 words. This time I want to actually get book out. This doesn't mean that I'll write more, though that would be nice, but this time I hope that the 50000 words form a completely coherent story with conflict, plot and interesting characters. Previous attempts have had at least one of these 3, but none have had all of them.
At least I think that's been the problem. However the 5000 word description about someone making a sandwich was a true page turner...
Well I'll be back a week on Monday.
Monday 12 October 2009
Writing update
OK, so I'm not very good at actually keeping up with the blog. I have actually been writing, just not writing for here. I think, from now on, I will try to update my blog every Monday at the very least. Whether this happens, is a completely separate matter.
So a writing update...
My one line is done. I don't think much of it, but I'll update as and when I can think of something better. I've managed to write an outline. It's not complete, but it does cover more than half the book. The last section isn't covered yet and I'm not sure at this point if I will cover it at this time. The reason for this is obvious and simple - at least to me - I'm not sure which ending to use.
One option would be to outline all the possible endings. Another, and the one I prefer, is to see how the characters really work out as a group and decide later on which is the best way to go. Then once I have an ending, update my outline and see how it all looks. I'll use the outline to create the synopsis once the book is finished. If that ever happens of course.
So I'm just starting on some character bios and once they are done, I'm just about ready for NaNoWriMo in just under 3 weeks. At least the 1st November falls on a Sunday this year, which means I should get a good number of words in on the first day for a change. I'm hoping for 10,000 words, but anything over the 1,667 will be a bonus.
I've done NaNoWriMo several times already and each time I've won, I wrote my 50,000 words in ten days each time. Once I started on November 20th and still finished well before the midnight deadline on the 30th. This year, however, I'm hoping to take it a bit more seriously and not have 5,000 word descriptions of making a sandwich, which was included in my very first attempt.
This year I really want to have something that I can edit and manipulate into a novel that can be submitted to agents and may even get published. That's my aim.
One other point, I've never been ready this early before. OK I probably just jinxed myself and now I won't actually finished the bios before November, but usually I only start preparing on October 31st. So what I've already done is more than I've ever done before.
"May you live in interesting times"
So a writing update...
My one line is done. I don't think much of it, but I'll update as and when I can think of something better. I've managed to write an outline. It's not complete, but it does cover more than half the book. The last section isn't covered yet and I'm not sure at this point if I will cover it at this time. The reason for this is obvious and simple - at least to me - I'm not sure which ending to use.
One option would be to outline all the possible endings. Another, and the one I prefer, is to see how the characters really work out as a group and decide later on which is the best way to go. Then once I have an ending, update my outline and see how it all looks. I'll use the outline to create the synopsis once the book is finished. If that ever happens of course.
So I'm just starting on some character bios and once they are done, I'm just about ready for NaNoWriMo in just under 3 weeks. At least the 1st November falls on a Sunday this year, which means I should get a good number of words in on the first day for a change. I'm hoping for 10,000 words, but anything over the 1,667 will be a bonus.
I've done NaNoWriMo several times already and each time I've won, I wrote my 50,000 words in ten days each time. Once I started on November 20th and still finished well before the midnight deadline on the 30th. This year, however, I'm hoping to take it a bit more seriously and not have 5,000 word descriptions of making a sandwich, which was included in my very first attempt.
This year I really want to have something that I can edit and manipulate into a novel that can be submitted to agents and may even get published. That's my aim.
One other point, I've never been ready this early before. OK I probably just jinxed myself and now I won't actually finished the bios before November, but usually I only start preparing on October 31st. So what I've already done is more than I've ever done before.
"May you live in interesting times"
Monday 28 September 2009
A new blog
I've decided to start this blog in an attempt to support my writing. I have a nasty habit of starting a novel and never getting past halfway or if I do finish it, I don't bother to edit it, instead I move on to another project. The consequence of this is that I have a lot of files called book1, book2 etc. but nothing that is worth anything. So my plan, and promise to myself, is to write, edit and submit a book within 1 year from now. Today's date is 28th September 2009. So by 27th September 2010, I hope to have sent off letters to agents seeking representation.
Now that may not seem like I trying to do much, but I think this is a good timescale. I think that just getting a book written and into a state where it is ready for publication is going to take most of the year, if not all of the year. By putting this blog out, I hope to force myself to keep up with the writing and not to wimp out for any reason.
I will be doing NaNoWriMo this year, which will hopefully help rather than hinder the process. I intend to use the time between now and the 1st November to plan the book - I already have an idea - and to create an outline that I will use in November to create the first draft. I've already completed NaNoWriMo several times, so I know I can do it.
Of course after that comes the hard part. Re-writing and editing that first draft, something I have never managed to do before.
This blog is open to the general public, but is intended more for me, to give myself some incentive to continue and not to give up half way through, or even before that. I'm not going to blog everyday, just when I have something to say.
Task 1: Write down the idea/essence of the book in one sentence. This is a good way to really think about what the novel is about and to clarify the idea.
Now that may not seem like I trying to do much, but I think this is a good timescale. I think that just getting a book written and into a state where it is ready for publication is going to take most of the year, if not all of the year. By putting this blog out, I hope to force myself to keep up with the writing and not to wimp out for any reason.
I will be doing NaNoWriMo this year, which will hopefully help rather than hinder the process. I intend to use the time between now and the 1st November to plan the book - I already have an idea - and to create an outline that I will use in November to create the first draft. I've already completed NaNoWriMo several times, so I know I can do it.
Of course after that comes the hard part. Re-writing and editing that first draft, something I have never managed to do before.
This blog is open to the general public, but is intended more for me, to give myself some incentive to continue and not to give up half way through, or even before that. I'm not going to blog everyday, just when I have something to say.
Task 1: Write down the idea/essence of the book in one sentence. This is a good way to really think about what the novel is about and to clarify the idea.
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