Hi
all,
all,
I
have just finished the first week of National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo.
The idea is to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. This is how
I faired:
have just finished the first week of National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo.
The idea is to write a 50,000 word novel in the month of November. This is how
I faired:
Day one: I started a
brand new novel. The ideas for the novel had only been pulled together over the
previous few days. I was not sure whether I would get anywhere near the 1667
words required on average per day.
brand new novel. The ideas for the novel had only been pulled together over the
previous few days. I was not sure whether I would get anywhere near the 1667
words required on average per day.
The
first chapter was to introduce the main character, his predicament and his somewhat
drastic reaction. I wrote this chapter in first person. I finished the chapter
and then thought about stopping for the day as my word count was at 1630, just
below the average of 1667. But I was reminded by a friend that it’s easier to
begin writing the next day if you have a scene set and started, so I wrote the
first 70 words of chapter two. I wrote 1700
words for the first day.
first chapter was to introduce the main character, his predicament and his somewhat
drastic reaction. I wrote this chapter in first person. I finished the chapter
and then thought about stopping for the day as my word count was at 1630, just
below the average of 1667. But I was reminded by a friend that it’s easier to
begin writing the next day if you have a scene set and started, so I wrote the
first 70 words of chapter two. I wrote 1700
words for the first day.
Day two: When walking
back from the pool, I thought up a better way to open chapter two, so I
scrapped the start and began again. I then had to stop and walk to the dentist
and then spend a lovely hour and twenty minutes getting a root canal finished.
back from the pool, I thought up a better way to open chapter two, so I
scrapped the start and began again. I then had to stop and walk to the dentist
and then spend a lovely hour and twenty minutes getting a root canal finished.
Chapter
two is written in third person and the story is told from three different POV.
I felt like I was creating distinct voices for each of them. I wrote 1710 words for a total of 3410.
two is written in third person and the story is told from three different POV.
I felt like I was creating distinct voices for each of them. I wrote 1710 words for a total of 3410.
Day three: I went back and did some editing (naughty
Graham) and deleted about 100 words. The writing for chapter two became more
technical as characters followed step by step procedures. I finished chapter
two and started chapter three. I wrote 1647
words for the day, so I did not make the average daily quota. 5057 words in total.
Graham) and deleted about 100 words. The writing for chapter two became more
technical as characters followed step by step procedures. I finished chapter
two and started chapter three. I wrote 1647
words for the day, so I did not make the average daily quota. 5057 words in total.
Day four: On the way
back from the pool I found myself stopping to write a lot of notes and, once
again, I thought of a better beginning to a chapter I had started, so I
scrapped some more words. Chapter three, like chapter one, is one long scene,
and when you don’t need to stop and think about setting a scene it is a lot
easier to punch out the words. After I finished writing, I spent some time
sorting out my notes for the novel. I wrote 1760 words for a total of 6817.
back from the pool I found myself stopping to write a lot of notes and, once
again, I thought of a better beginning to a chapter I had started, so I
scrapped some more words. Chapter three, like chapter one, is one long scene,
and when you don’t need to stop and think about setting a scene it is a lot
easier to punch out the words. After I finished writing, I spent some time
sorting out my notes for the novel. I wrote 1760 words for a total of 6817.
Day five: I woke up a few times during the night
to write down ideas for the novel. When I got up the next morning, I
immediately snatched up my notebook to write more notes. When I finally began writing, I finished
chapter three and was well into chapter four before stopping.
to write down ideas for the novel. When I got up the next morning, I
immediately snatched up my notebook to write more notes. When I finally began writing, I finished
chapter three and was well into chapter four before stopping.
I
am finding that writing at this pace certainly helps with remembering what is happening
and keeping a character’s voice consistent. I wrote 1760 words for the second day in a row, for a total of 8577 words.
am finding that writing at this pace certainly helps with remembering what is happening
and keeping a character’s voice consistent. I wrote 1760 words for the second day in a row, for a total of 8577 words.
Day six: Writing seemed
very easy. I finished chapter four and was well into chapter five when I
stopped, rushing to 2197 words and a
total of 10774. I am finding the
more I write, the more I want to write.
very easy. I finished chapter four and was well into chapter five when I
stopped, rushing to 2197 words and a
total of 10774. I am finding the
more I write, the more I want to write.
Day seven: A few things
interfered with my writing time, like the editor for Divine sending me an
edited version of my next article with changes, some of which I did not agree
with. I spent a lot of time composing an email that explained why I thought
some of his changes diminished the article. Then the house insurance bill
arrived and a long discussion broke out about whether we are under or
overinsured. Did yet another online insurance contents estimate – came out much
the same as the previous ones. Just as well I had written around 800 words
before I checked my email and mail. I then managed to write another 1000 words or
so for a total of 1854 and a week
one total of 12628.
interfered with my writing time, like the editor for Divine sending me an
edited version of my next article with changes, some of which I did not agree
with. I spent a lot of time composing an email that explained why I thought
some of his changes diminished the article. Then the house insurance bill
arrived and a long discussion broke out about whether we are under or
overinsured. Did yet another online insurance contents estimate – came out much
the same as the previous ones. Just as well I had written around 800 words
before I checked my email and mail. I then managed to write another 1000 words or
so for a total of 1854 and a week
one total of 12628.
After
week one I am 959 words ahead of schedule. I have amazed myself with my output.
I have written more in seven days than I usually write in seven weeks.
week one I am 959 words ahead of schedule. I have amazed myself with my output.
I have written more in seven days than I usually write in seven weeks.
0 Responses
Congrats Graham on your first week on NaNo.
BIG YAYs to your awesome word count.
Sounds good Graham.
(I already expressed how I feel about Nano.)
best of luck.
Nice!
thanks guys