Bam! Before I write anything, thanks again to everyone who is now following my blog! My visits went off like crazy and my phone is constantly vibrating with other writers commenting and messaging me to talk about writing! This has been a great time for me and I am so glad that I have opened up this Pandora’s Box of writers! I feel like I’m not using enough exclamation marks! What do you think?
Excitement aside, the effect of the community has pushed me to hit back at my editing and hit hard, going from being halfway through to editing roughly a quarter of the book in my past two days off. I edited from fifty six thousand words up to the eighty five thousand mark, and now all I see is the Matrix… but instead of numbers it’s nothing but Arial font, size ten. Thanks to all of you who have commented or followed me back, I have made these strides. If we all stick together, there is no telling how we can affect and influence each other’s writing!
Today’s post is a post to see where everyone stands in their NaNoWriMo or Current Writing target. So consider this a support group. I don’t expect names or anything like that, but post in the comments your goal, your current word count and if you’re looking for a writing partner. When I say partner, I mean someone to check up on you. I’m fully on board with checking up on all of you if you’d like (I know I would) but if you wanted to break off and just check in with each other. Not everyone posts their progress everyday and knowing that random stranger is going to email you, may be the push you need to give it the priority you want.
I know from past NaNoWriMos that it is easy to make excuses. Family events pop up, Christmas shopping to do, cleaning, sleeping from working hard, yadda yadda yadda… They all sound important. But I personally think the one thing that helped me the most get to my target of one hundred thousand words was making time for it. Sounds easy enough, right? Wrong. I am in no way a morning person, in fact I can avoid sleeping and be just fine(ish), but once I sleep, getting up is the devil. After re-evaluating my priorities, I decided that the only time that was never interrupted was the early morning. No one ever calls you at five AM to say “Hey, Let’s hang out!” So I woke up before work, before my partner, before the sun… and I wrote.
Some of it was drivel for the first while. (Did I mention I’m not a morning person?) Once the routine developed, I began to feel better. My creative juices began flowing easier. I was writing, with NO interruptions! It was a hard fought battle, but I had won! I will do it again for my next novel and I won’t think twice. So, I’ll leave you with the above homework (Comments, Goals, Partners) and the following things I did to get to my “redonkulous” target of one hundred thousand words!
1) Find an uninterruptable time to write, make it routine.
2) Do NOT include research time as writing time. Wikipedia will devour your soul (And free your mind).
3) Instead of setting a time goal, set a word goal. I used to say, I will write two thousand words today. I sat there. I wrote. It was painful sometimes, but it happened and it got easier as time went on. This also ensures you hit your goals.
4) Do NOT over structure. I set plot targets at every twenty thousand words, for example: the following events need to happen before this word target has been met. This allows you much more freedom and allows your characters to “play”. I found that if I designated every scene, the structure confined me where sometimes the characters were enjoying their moment.
5) Always write. No matter what. No matter how terrible you think it is. No matter how boring or unrelated to the story it feels at the time. Write it. The reason is forcing yourself to write through a block can offer inspiration into other directions and forces your brain into the routine you want. Only you can stop yourself from writing altogether, even if you can’t think of anything… just do it.
Okay ladies and gentlemen, this has been a fun post to write and I am open to questions, comments, concerns, arguments (or discussions as I call them) and homework! If you’ve got the time- homework below and I’d love to know what you guys think of the five things I did to get to the one hundred thousand mark! Embrace the community I am trying to build here within my comments! Participation is key! Talk to you soon and happy writing! 😀
(PS- Thanks again, you… yes you! You may not know it, but you are my inspiration!)
I love number 4! Because my story is confusing… I had to make sure that little things happen to make sure it all fits into place! I still haven’t finished my story lol! Done the 50k but I’ve got a heck of a lot more to do!
Number 4 is one of the things I kept doing wrong. I tried this method called the snowflake method for writing and found it worked really well at building the skeleton of a book. Then, I realised I felt confined to it. Suddenly some events didn’t work so I cut them. Then characters began to develop at a slow pace because the next event wasn’t happening yet and it felt awkward.
Once I tried this, wow… did it make a difference. It turned into writing five stories which in a sequence create the novel. Also only saying this one event is extremely important allows for back story and interactions that too much structure doesn’t allow for so everything flows naturally!
That is so awesome that you’ve made your 50k! What is your next goal or I suppose, where do you think you are in the story now?
It certainly does seem to have worked for you. I have looked at teh snow flake method but I’m not entirely sure about it. I just kind of went with the flow on this one. I only planned the first few chapters and then my head began to buzz with ideas!
My story was flowing until I hit a wall… I decided to skip ahead and right a few chapters that I know is going to happen. Mainly where all the little pieces come together. When I start to get frustrated or out of inspiration, I’ll go back where I left off before and continue there. (Not sure if that makes sense).
Goal-wise, I’m hoping to actually finish writing it. I am unsure how many more words it’s going to take up but at this rate it could be another 50k lol!
Hey, that is pretty much what happened with me. I started my novel as a NaNoWriMo story and found that despite my best efforts the story was pacing slower… so I moved my targets from 10k word targets to 20k word targets and the story matched up with where I wanted to be!
The snowflake method isn’t bad (Starting from a summary, to dividing it into events, etc…) but I stopped at the first level and that has helped more than anything.
Well, keep writing and since you’ve hit the 50K mark, you can feel the pressure ease on word count. Now anything is possible, you’ll get there! Just be sure that no matter what you do, actually finish this. If you start another idea, you won’t have that satisfaction of “I came, I wrote, I conquered.”
That is something I intend to do 🙂 Thank you :)!
I cannot set word goals….due to the fact that i never use the computer when writing. I use pen and paper.
but on the plus side, doing that means NO INTERNET. and no distractions….(until I go and type it all up)
Ooooh! Still rocking it old school! I tried heading back to that and found that my productivity slowed down dramatically. I physically write slow or if it’s fast, it’s illegible. However you can still do an estimate! Just take your last page, count the words, then set a page goal based on that word count estimate. Overall it should remain relatively comparable! Do you know how many pages you’ve written thus far?
Too many to count! My average is about 6 pages per chapter, with about 200 words per page. Im on chapter 9…
I find working on a screen really hard, with paper you can scrible every time you have a moment,…and it becomes a work of art when you realise how much you doodle!
That is one thing I miss… doodling! It sometimes killed my productivity (I drew an incredible stick figure sword fight once on the corner of my notepad… it was animated and many stickmen fell to the sword) but those were the days.
Although I do NOT miss my typewriter. That thing was the devil’s keyboard. Although at least you don’t have distractions a mere mouse click away. Well played!
Also is that 6 pages double sided, or single sided? Doing some quick math that’d put you at 10800 for single sided, or pretty much right on track if it is double that! Good luck and keep in touch!
I have to say, I was guilty of number five just last night. It was hard to keep going because I thought it was just not good enough, or thought-out enough. It’s a feeling hard to shake, once it settles.
As far as progress goes, my word count is 26,794/50,000. Right on target! Although I’m worried I don’t have enough plot to get to 50,000, but there’s only one way to find out!
Keep pushing on! You’re on target and trust me, getting to 50k is a huge feat that will enable you to have more confidence with your writing going forward. Not only that but even if you think everything you wrote was utter nonsense, you did it! You wrote it! It is hard to formulate a plan when you’ve never conquered that many words before and it will be easier next time, I promise. As for enough plot, you could always strike out at the fabled “plot twist” and see if your muse will help you head in a different direction!
Thank you for that! I did push on this morning and now I’m back on track with a detail I didn’t anticipate, and now things are running smoothly again! I’ll keep the plot twist thing in mind, in case I need it. 🙂
It’s always good to have an out in case you feel you’re getting too cliche or suddenly a wall hits you out of nowhere! I’ll be keeping up with your progress and cheering you on from the sidelines! Good luck!
Thank you! 🙂
I’m doing number one now. I really didn’t want to wake up but the house is so perfectly quiet and empty that I had to force myself to take the opportunity (still waking up here). So I’m going to get some tea and write. I’m at 28k now. My hope is that fate will be kind and bar of interruptions so that I may reach 32k today.
Good job on the massive editing!
I am responding to all of my comments and emails just before I head off for a sunday of work, but it seems I may have to get up earlier to actually write!
No one wants to wake up early (except morning people, bleh) but it is rewarding. So peaceful. It will get easier, but just remember… getting up earlier means heading to bed earlier (yeah, don’t worry… I never follow that rule). Good luck on hitting that 32k and thanks for the update!
I’m wondering if people wouldn’t mind me posting their progress in a small community update post so everyone can see where they stand. I’m also wondering if that would crush the spirit of some people who are further behind. I’ll give it some more thought!
I say do it (though I’ve already seen the post since this comment is a day late). Anyway, it is a great idea to share the progress of others in a shout out. Connects a lot of people. Great idea!
Hahaha, I decided “Ah, why the heck not!?” and just went with it! I’m hoping those people don’t mind and I really hope a few members of the community have leapt over to give them some support! I’ve felt fantastic because of all this interaction in the past week and I only can wish it upon others!
Good job with the editing!
I enjoyed reading your post. I was stuck for a few days and went on Nanowrimo forums for help. From here, I learned about Scrivener. Once I downloaded it, I wrote 5,000 words in one day and I’m now up to 30,000!!!! This is my first novel and I’m elated at the prospect of writing communities, like this one. It really does help when you have someone to ‘lean on’. Cheers for building a community of writers on wordpress!
Scrivener is awesome isn’t it! I’ve got that bad boy straight down on my little dock menu and I’ve been trialling it, haven’t bought it yet!
Also I’ve found that what works for one writer, doesn’t always work for another of course. I found that with Scrivener I did so much planning I wrote more words for descriptions and details then anything else! That’s why I changed to good ole Google Docs paired with an app for the Google Chrome Browser called WriteSpace… that way I could write across all my computer-like devices. That helped!
Glad you enjoy and welcome to the page of doom! Keep writing and you’ll make your 50k easily! Also because you’re ahead of target, would you like me to post your progress in a mini update to keep you motivated? I’m considering doing it for all the people who have posted their progress! I’ll only do it if you think it’ll help!
I have the opposite problem with 4. I always write whatever I want and it ends up having no structure. I’m a little over 28 k but hope to pass 30 k sometime today
You have to set tiny goals I suppose so that your story still has direction and progresses toward it. Otherwise, you may write… FOREVER. (If it’s good, a publishing house will love that about you perhaps!)
Haha, good point. I am forever editing a novel I wrote…
I really hope I find the end to my editing. My fear of failure has me keeping it from even my partner until I’m happy with it, even though she is super excited to read it!
Although I’ve enjoyed rereading it, it still feels exciting and new, even to me! Maybe you’re trying to make it perfect, when there is no such thing!
Thanks for the information. I have just done so many edits that my partners no longer want to read it…
Haha…
I suppose it would depend on the type of edits… scene and action edits? Great! Punctuation and conciseness edits… BLARG. Although a new set of eyes couldn’t hurt *wink*wink*nudge*nudge* Either way, glad to be able to help!
Haha, I might just take you up on that offer!
I’m actually keeping up exactly with the NaNoWriMo word counts. I’m never more than 100 words over, so I’m not really worried at all about not finishing, I know I’m going to finish, I’ve come way too far to just give up now. However, my main concern is that yesterday was the beginning of week three and I’m only now starting the plot of my novel (as in, I’ve finally reached the point of conflict). This isn’t bad per se, I mean, I know the first half of my book is sort of slow, which can be fixed later, it’s just that I think my book is going to be waaaay longer than 50k. And it’s scaring me to death.
I feel like if it weren’t for NaNoWriMo, the feeling of doing the same challenge that 300,000 other people around the world are doing, I wouldn’t have the discipline to write 1,667 words a day. Basically, I’m afraid that once November is over, I won’t finish my novel. Oh sure, I’ll meet 50k, but the story won’t be finished. I really, really, really hope that doesn’t happen and I hope I finish it.
Keeping it close to the chest with the word counts? Daring move! That happened to me with my story and it went much further than 50k, in fact double!
Well, it does take discipline… or someone to poke you and ask how your word count is going. I can be that guy, I can be annoying! I’ll help you finish it and keep you on it as we go! It’ll be fun!
By the way, what’s it about? (Curious!)
I find that I’ve been writing really well at night, which has helped me stay just ahead of my daily word goal! Always nice to have fellow Nanos around!
Night was where I started… but as you work a long day, then cook, eat, clean, shower… you find less time and energy for writing. However if it’s working, don’t change a thing!
As I said, it was entirely about priorities for me and I pushed writing up the chain and before work was the only time that never got interrupted by social events! But hey thanks for commenting and hope you’ll stick around and keep in touch! How far to 50k?
My work days are luckily fairly short, so my schedule allows me to work in the evenings, which is really lucky. I’m super grateful. I have tried for a couple weeks to write most of my words in the mornings, but only managed to eke out a meagre couple hundred, and would always end up finishing at night.
I just hit 30k words, and still have a few hours of writing left for today, so it’s looking good!
Happy writing to you!
Awesome! Hey, as I said, whatever works for you! If the evenings do and pesky social commitments (birthdays, date nights, etc… J/k) don’t manage to get in the way, keep going! As long as you’ve got your writing time, keep it that way! Writing in the AM does take awhile to get into but waking up with a purpose started my whole day better than when it started with work!
30k! You’re doing awesome, keep it up and you’ll smote the evil NaNoWriMo into oblivion! Thanks for swinging by!
#3 is what has gotten me caught up to within 271 words of today’s NaNo goal. That puts me at 26,396 and isn’t that a lovely thing! Tomorrow though, I plan on being caught up and ahead of the game. I have an afternoon session with my anchor and fellow WriMo M, and I’ll be helping her add to her word count (her story is done and she’s searching desperately for filler to hit the end goal) while kicking my word count’s butt. Carry on, WriMos. 😉
It’s awesome that you’ve already got these things in play, they work wonderfully! You’re so close, you can taste it… the sweet, sweet taste of victory!
As for your friend, what is her word count at? I can toss out some suggestions to beef up the story, depending on where she’s at! I love to help! Good luck either way and tell your friend a random Canadian living in Australia wishes her luck too!
Yes, I do see the road out before me, even after yesterday’s almost disaster. Unlike my friend who basically has her story done and she’s 13k short. I’m trying to come up with suggestions to help her get more out of her story, and while a couple things have helped, I’m stuck!
I guess I’m benefiting from being a bit wordy on my own story. 🙂
Being wordy helps with edits. At least then you’ve got enough content you can hack and slash and still get down to a reasonable story size as well as the events that pertain to the story!
13k short? Hmm… depending on her story examining her characters and seeing if she can tie one of their personal struggles into the story could always help. Side characters always make great room for filler!
I think I’m going to hate the red pen if and when someone starts editing anything I’ve written for real. I’ve got an aunt who used to be in the biz, and I sent her each chapter as it was done for GBE (the project that’s been in progress for years) and she sent feedback.
As for this project, as my friend M put it, it’s nice to see a lot of the road left ahead, instead of having to backtrack. I’ll forward her your ideas and we’ll see if they help. 🙂
Cool! Keep me posted! I’m so happy to help anyone, in any way I can… I guess that’s why I’m still in customer service, despite the occasional insane customer.
I’m terrified to get a professional editor… I almost feel as though I should apologise as I hand it over. I’ll get more confident as people read through my other short stories and posts… but for now, my stomach does ninja backflips when I think about it.
I spent a lot of time last night (till 1:30 am, yay for Saturdays) catching up to 26 746 words. I’m happy to be caught up, though I was only 800 words behind, which wasn’t bad. My goal for this NaNoWriMo is to pace my book to be done within 70 000 words. I’m challenging myself to write differently and compact more story into a tighter space.
I’m starting to think some of my replies get lost in the interwebs!I swore I replied to this! Either way I don’t think I’ve made it a night without being in bed after 1:30 am… and I work most mornings as early as 7:30 and 9 am.
Also I hope you don’t mind, but I tossed your name into my post today in hopes I can get you some follows and support so we can see you through to 50k minimum! I’ll continue to help you get to 70k! Good luck, mine grew to 100k from 50k 😛
I’m jealous you’re challenging yourself… writing is hard enough, I worry about the other stuff later or else the remainder of my hair will fall out… and I need that!