I can't believe NaNo is going so well for me this year. I have three youngin's and a busy life. I didn't even know if I should tackle NaNo this year; 1) because my past NaNo stories have turned out to be junk 2) I didn't know if I had the time. I hate to start something and not finish it.
But then I decided to do it; 1) because a friend talked me into it 2) I had an idea to write the back story and character sketches of my book instead of the book itself 3) we all can find time to do the things that we WANT to do. I knew I could find the time if I really tried.
I encourage anyone who is thinking about NaNo to do NaNo on in the way that will best suite you and your goals. Who cares if you don't make it to the full 50K? Who cares if you are writing a book about your book? Who cares if you're just brainstorming nothing in particular? The point is setting your goals and working towards them.
Writing a book about back story and characters seems "weird" but it has been really helpful.
1) I'm gaining a better understanding of what motivates my characters and how they effect each other.
2) I'm seeing my characters in a more well-rounded way. They are becoming real to me and I think that will help my story when I start to really write about them.
3) I'm able to connect the dots with some questions I had in my mind but didn't know how to work them out.
4) My inner editor is completely shut off. None of this is meant to be cut and pasted into my novel, so I can type freely with little to no road blocks.
When I do find that my creative process is slowing down, I know it's time to stop. One of the best ways I find to let the words flow is to visualize the scenes or thoughts that I want to write about, like I'm watching a movie in my head, before I start to type. The clearer movie-like picture I have in my head, the easier it is to let the words pour out.
OK, I'm going to go now and try to plunk out another couple thousand words. That is, if I can keep the cat off my key-board. Shooooo Sammy, shoooooo!
What about you? What helps you get the words out when you're writing?
14 comments:
I have a lot of respect for those who not only keep the words flowing, manage Email (more words) and manage to blog so eloquently. Pat yourself on the back. This is beyond me.
Mirka, I think you're my new bestest friend. ;0) Thanks. I think that using Nano as a brainstorming tool has made all the difference, plus I'm a fast typer. In the past I wasn't quite as speedy.
Ah, I know all about cats on keyboards. Nonetheless, congratulations on being so productive! Most impressive. And I don't think writing about backstory and characters is weird at all. We need to know these things, right?
Thanks Cynthia! A keyboard just isn't the same w/o cat hair, is it? ;0)
Thanks!
Using NaNo for brainstorming is a very good brainstorm. :) I don't think I could do NaNo "as it's supposed to be done," but I could do this.
Congratulations, Christy! Sounds like NaNo is really working for you. Yay!
WOO! Sounds like you're in the zone! Congrats on your success so far. Keep it up! (love the cat)
THanks Marcia, inluvwithwods and Terry! I appreciate the support and cheers! :0)
I am impressed that you feel so on top with everything going on in your life. I only have a husband, two cats and school twice a week, but I feeled swamped already. Best of luck to you with getting to that magic 50k!
Thanks Cassandra. The brainstorming thing is the key. Without that, I would be stuck.
I am so proud of you! I have a lot of words left to write - and not a lot of time to do it. I need to stop with my photography for a bit and put my pen to paper! (But it doesn't take nearly as much time to snap a photo as it takes to write 2000 words a day!) EEEK!
I hope it's still going well for you, Christy. I did NaNo once, but haven't been able to get myself to do it again. Maybe next year. Good luck with your story!
Glad it's going well for you! Funny, I was just thinking about that habit cats have of plopping themselves right on top of your work (it's true for paintings, too). :)
THanks for stopping by Rena and Adrienne! This past week I've dropped of on NaNo a lot, but I've still unearthed a lot of good stuff, even if I don't make it to hte 50k. :0)
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