I’m slightly more than halfway through the first NaNo i’ve ever done and have reached over 60,000 word on the sequel to Genetic Attraction (coming out Jan 4) called Androgynous Dreams. I’d say “can i hear an Amen?” except there’s still a long way to go, though i do feel a teeny bit confident i’ll make it. I even like the book — i think. You see, normally when i write, i go back and read quite a lot. That doesn’t work for NaNo. For one thing, it takes too much time, for another, too much editing is kind of against the rules.So, i think the book is working but i’m not sure and won’t be until December (or whenever i finish 50K words, whichever comes first).
I’ve learned something really important to my future life as a writer. I can comfortably fit 2000 words into a day, even when i’m pretty darned busy. Not everyday, but a lot of them. And those are days that still include sleep, food and maybe even exercise — as well as the day job. A cool discovery.
Here’s what i think is working for me, NaNo-wise. I thought about the plot a fair amount before NaNo began. Then, on a veteran NaNoers advice, i actually wrote down a list of scenes. I haven’t looked at it since, i must confess, but i have a good memory and that semi-outline is helping me stay on track. Thats the plotting part.
The pantsing is most of the writing, but as i go i solve problems. For example i realized two key issues — i had one too many coincidences in the plot and, as usual, i didn’t have enough conflict. I solved these problems in the walking around staring time of day. You know, when people are talking to you and you’re not answering? Or when you’re supposed to be sleeping. I solved the problem i think successfully by combining the two issues. I got rid of the coincidence and made the event (one hero showing up at the home of another) a deep manipulation by a villainous person. Bingo! I had conflict. Now my second hero is a tool of a bad guy and we have to see how he gets himself out of it.
So if you’ve never done NaNo, i’d suggest giving it a try some year. I have friends who say their life is NaNo and they don’t need the push. For me, who loves challenges and rises to occasions, it’s been a blessing so far. Even in the face of having my release date on Genetic Attraction moved up to Jan 4, having to do all the edits in a few days rather than weeks, having one of the busiest work schedules ever, and needing to plan all the promotion for my book release, NaNo has kept me writing. So far, so good. What’s your NaNo experience so far? (BTW, the photo is for inspiration) : )