Well so far NaNoWriMo is going well...I'm behind in my words and probably won't get the 50,000 by the end of the month but you know what? I feel so very accomplished. I've written over 18,000 words in a little over 3 weeks. And these words were written while I continued to live my life. I didn't merely lock myself away and avoid my family and shirk my responsibilities (which would have been nice at times I'll admit). Instead I set aside time after everyone was in bed to write and contemplate the lives of my characters. And it's been rather fun.
And now I'm at a point in my novel where my characters are at a crossroads. I'm at the same place in which I had writer's block previously and have concluded that I can take my book in two entirely different directions. And so it is up to me to determine where my characters wish to be led. Where do they want me to take this story? We are standing at the crossroads in my novel and I'm just waiting to see what my characters have to say.
Also, I notice that some days I'm at a crossroads as a writer and novelist. Yes I realize that I'm young and overly ambitious and very idealistic when it comes to novel writing. And I've come to a point in writing where I need to decide whether or not I'm actually cut out for this. Fatigue and fear are setting and and the severe feeling of being inadequate are getting to me. And after having gone through half a month of literary insanity I've come to realize that I need to make some serious decisions. Do I pursue my dream of writing a book and gain that accomplishmen in my life...or do I merely give up and forget about this "silly" dream and move on to more practical uses for my time? On the one hand my mind is screaming at me to never give up and that I can do this. But on the other hand I can see how this dream may be so far-fetched and unattainable. Or is it? Which do I choose? How can I live with myself if I give up something that I've always aspired to be? But how can I face the thought of never being good enough to ever have a novel put into print.
And for me the answer is rather simple. I'd be a fool to never try to finish writing a novel. I'd be a fool to give up my dream. Nothing worth your time is ever really that easy, so why try to rationalize that my dream and goal is not worth it to me? Also, I've asked myself this question: am I writing to become a famous and rich novelist or am I writing merely because I enjoy the activity and am living my dream? And for me the answer is simple: I am writing because it is something I enjoy doing. I've always enjoyed writing and getting lost in my imagination. It's fun and exciting to see where my thoughts will take me and what type of adventures the characters in my head will create and experience. And I decided a long time ago that I would write for me. I would write because I enjoy it and if I'm the only one who ever reads the things I've written then so be it...though I will admit that part of me hopes that other will enjoy the stories that I can spin. Not for any monetary gain, but for the mere pleasure of seeing someone as excited about my characters as I am. That would be my ultimate prize.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Silencing my inner editor
Well for NaNoWriMo I am hopelessly behind in my word count, but at least I'm trying right? I'm not going to stress out needlessly if I don't make the 50,000 word deadline by the end of the month. Rather I'm trying to enjoy this time to simply write in my novel. And to silence the inner editor that is screaming at me to change a million and a half things since I started writing! It's a love hate relationship right now.
And I believe that all writers go through that inner monologue on debating on whether or not to rewrite their work. Perfectionists much? I seem to think so. But I know that if I were to heed my inner editor's wishes and screaming demands, then I'd never get this blasted novel written. My problem seems to be that I can always find a problem with my work; somewhere it can be improve and reworded and modified. And the more I look for problems with my novel the more I will find. And the more I find, the more I think I need to fix. And then I will get discouraged about my actual novel and either not want to finish it or never think that it will be good enough to warrant anyone to want to read it.
So, what I need to do is just "suck it up" and tell my inner editor to shut up!
And I believe that all writers go through that inner monologue on debating on whether or not to rewrite their work. Perfectionists much? I seem to think so. But I know that if I were to heed my inner editor's wishes and screaming demands, then I'd never get this blasted novel written. My problem seems to be that I can always find a problem with my work; somewhere it can be improve and reworded and modified. And the more I look for problems with my novel the more I will find. And the more I find, the more I think I need to fix. And then I will get discouraged about my actual novel and either not want to finish it or never think that it will be good enough to warrant anyone to want to read it.
So, what I need to do is just "suck it up" and tell my inner editor to shut up!
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
NaNo update!
Well things are going alright for my NaNoWriMo thus far. I have over 7,000 words...which is nice, but still lagging on where I need to be. But if I can write a couple thousand words a day for the rest of the month I can make it to the 50,000 mark...though personally I'd prefer to have more words than that. We shall see then eh?
On a postive note, I have resolved one of the conflicts I was facing with my novel. It bothered me to no small degree, and happily the other day as I was falling asleep, the idea magically popped into my head. Thankfully I still remember the basics of what I need to write and I will incorporate it into my novel at the right time. Hooray!
Anyway, in my attempts to relax my brain for a little while from the characters that are locked in my head, I started reading some of the posts that are on the NaNoWriMo website. One such post had me laughing so hard that I thought it appropriate to share it with all of you who read this blasted blog. So I hope you enjoy! And wish me luck on my writing!
Hi all,
For a while now there's been a tradition amongst the NaNo crowd what likes to kill things. We call it the Travelling Shovel of Death.
The rules are simple. In your NaNo, you kill somone. With a shovel.
It is named the "Travelling" Shovel of Death because, well, it seems to be everywhere. Characters are killed by shovels in droves as soon as their authors find out about this mystical shovel- whether their world has shovels or not. It seems to be infectious. I know a number of characters have died at unfair hands wielding a shovel in my novels, granting me many words to add to my wordcount.
Desperate for a few thousand words? Got a character you don't really like any more? The Travelling Shovel of Death is the solution for you!
Travelling Shovel of Death FAQs (stolen from yangnome, 2009)
What can I do with the shovel?
Use it as a murder weapon. Kill a main character, a supporting character, or even a background character.
What if I don’t like violent scenes?
Have the shovel show up bloody on the ground, or maybe just a body that has been beaten. You don’t need to describe the murder to use the shovel, though I’m sure it wouldn’t stop you.
Why use the shovel to murder someone?
Easy, it provides conflict. Conflict drives stories.
Couldn't I just use a gun or a knife, maybe a sword?
I’m sure you could. Personally, I haven’t seen any guns knives or swords traveling around from novel to novel wreaking destruction though. The shovel is something bigger than you or I. It is bigger than our novels. It is a weapon of mass destruction if you will.
What if I don’t want to use the shovel?
No one is forcing you. Don’t be surprised though if it pops into your novel. It popped into mine. Others who heard of the shovel couldn’t resist. Can you?
Does it have to be used as a murder weapon?
I suppose not, but the shovel has developed a taste for blood.
What do I do with the shovel when I am done?
Return it. Set it free so it can travel to another place, another land, maybe even another world.
I’m still not convinced.
Well, use of the shovel will provide you with words. Anyone could easily milk a small 1,000-word scene from the shovel. Those more talented could get more. Heck, I’d bet someone could even get a whole novel out of the shovel’s exploits.
Are there any rules regarding the use of the shovel?
No, but we would like to hear about its use. Post the fact that you send it here, and maybe the excerpt from its use.
This sounds silly. It couldn’t possibly fit in my novel.
Maybe you are correct. I don’t know what you are writing about. The first year the shovel visited me, I wasn't writing a silly novel and it fit in mine with little problem. TSoD does not discriminate based on genre.
Anything else I need to know about the shovel?
No. Well, don't turn your back on it.
On a postive note, I have resolved one of the conflicts I was facing with my novel. It bothered me to no small degree, and happily the other day as I was falling asleep, the idea magically popped into my head. Thankfully I still remember the basics of what I need to write and I will incorporate it into my novel at the right time. Hooray!
Anyway, in my attempts to relax my brain for a little while from the characters that are locked in my head, I started reading some of the posts that are on the NaNoWriMo website. One such post had me laughing so hard that I thought it appropriate to share it with all of you who read this blasted blog. So I hope you enjoy! And wish me luck on my writing!
Hi all,
For a while now there's been a tradition amongst the NaNo crowd what likes to kill things. We call it the Travelling Shovel of Death.
The rules are simple. In your NaNo, you kill somone. With a shovel.
It is named the "Travelling" Shovel of Death because, well, it seems to be everywhere. Characters are killed by shovels in droves as soon as their authors find out about this mystical shovel- whether their world has shovels or not. It seems to be infectious. I know a number of characters have died at unfair hands wielding a shovel in my novels, granting me many words to add to my wordcount.
Desperate for a few thousand words? Got a character you don't really like any more? The Travelling Shovel of Death is the solution for you!
Travelling Shovel of Death FAQs (stolen from yangnome, 2009)
What can I do with the shovel?
Use it as a murder weapon. Kill a main character, a supporting character, or even a background character.
What if I don’t like violent scenes?
Have the shovel show up bloody on the ground, or maybe just a body that has been beaten. You don’t need to describe the murder to use the shovel, though I’m sure it wouldn’t stop you.
Why use the shovel to murder someone?
Easy, it provides conflict. Conflict drives stories.
Couldn't I just use a gun or a knife, maybe a sword?
I’m sure you could. Personally, I haven’t seen any guns knives or swords traveling around from novel to novel wreaking destruction though. The shovel is something bigger than you or I. It is bigger than our novels. It is a weapon of mass destruction if you will.
What if I don’t want to use the shovel?
No one is forcing you. Don’t be surprised though if it pops into your novel. It popped into mine. Others who heard of the shovel couldn’t resist. Can you?
Does it have to be used as a murder weapon?
I suppose not, but the shovel has developed a taste for blood.
What do I do with the shovel when I am done?
Return it. Set it free so it can travel to another place, another land, maybe even another world.
I’m still not convinced.
Well, use of the shovel will provide you with words. Anyone could easily milk a small 1,000-word scene from the shovel. Those more talented could get more. Heck, I’d bet someone could even get a whole novel out of the shovel’s exploits.
Are there any rules regarding the use of the shovel?
No, but we would like to hear about its use. Post the fact that you send it here, and maybe the excerpt from its use.
This sounds silly. It couldn’t possibly fit in my novel.
Maybe you are correct. I don’t know what you are writing about. The first year the shovel visited me, I wasn't writing a silly novel and it fit in mine with little problem. TSoD does not discriminate based on genre.
Anything else I need to know about the shovel?
No. Well, don't turn your back on it.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Another Update
Well so far so good with NaNoWriMo...I'm up to 4045 words...not bad eh? Except that if I go on a daily basis I'm supposed to be at over 6660 words...sheesh there's some ground to make up there! But I'm making progress...things are moving forward...slowly but surely! I'll update a post soon with some of my rewritten work. Hopefully it sounds somewhat decent.
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