And my story is progressing too fast. (To get to some motivational mo-jo, scroll down a bit)
We all have our problems when writing. If you don't plan ahead, you might be lost and the plot is a dead end. If you do plan ahead (which I did this year) you might rush the very first bit. This is both because I am not an avid writer, I don't sit down 365 days a year and just, write, and also because I knew where I was going.
When you have a specific goal in mind, and it is right there, so close you can actually touch it, you don't think "Oh hey well I really like this road better, it has pretty flowers next to it!" *and there is today's first failed metaphor*. So in other words, I rushed past some big parts in my character building and exposure phase. Because I want my story to say BAM! I am HERE! Read ME!
So the problem? Now my part that I had anticipated being 5000 words is a mere 2000. Well done.
So what do you do? Should you revise it?
NO! Follow this NaNo rule when we are talking segments in the begining. The plot isn't set in stone. It is a first draft for goodness sake.
Leave. It. Alone. (for now I know it hurts trust me)
So motivation to keep going? I guess I promised that yesterday because I actually felt motivated, but them I realized it was past midnight and I was tired.
MOTIVATIONAL-THINGY-UNO;
Do you know how many words you had 7 days ago? Zero! Nothing. You had absolutely nothing. Now look at the tiny little "infant-seed-child-novel" you have started. (Do not picture what that thing would look like literally) It is your baby! It is frowned upon to dislike babies. You can only do it on others peoples, but only after they are gone and can't hear you. You can't be the parent and the mean single friend! Think about that!
MOTIVATIONAL-THINGY-DOUS; (I am so sorry I don't speak Spanish at all)
Do you know how many words there is in the first version of Romeo and Juliet? 25599!
Do you know how many words there are in A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer, one of the most best selling books of all time and one of my favourites? 32404!
(And you International Baccalaureate students; One Extended Essay can be maximum 4000 words. A novel of 50000 is approximately 12,5 EE's!)
MOTIVATIONAL THINGY-TREISE; (I should just stop but I can't)
Not writing one day doesn't make you a bad writer. Not writing two days in a row doesn't make you a bad writer. Not even if you don't write for three whole days, does anyone get to call you a bad writer. The only bad writer is the person who never writes. Don't be that person.
That's it. Hold on to the little facts. Think percentage wise. Punch out how many percent done you are right now. Your word count, divided by 50000. Now promise to write at least one percent today. And another tomorrow.
By Yours Truly,
ETBlogsHome 2013-11-07
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
NaNo2013 Day 6 Wrap-up - Don't worry
I am still alive.
Today I cannot help but be in a split mindset. I have been pouring my heart and mind into my novel these last days. Today I had a day off and spent every minute writing at the library. Reached 12,000 words, which is great because I will definitely fall behind this weekend when me and the boyfriend are going away. Not actually leaving my computer behind but to be honest I don't want him sitting right next to me on the train when I am writing.
So there is what I want to talk about today. Are you secretive about your NaNoWriMo participation? I know my mother would not understand why I am doing it and won't let me put time off for it, so is anyone in the same situation? The only person that I have told of my participation is my boyfriend.
To be honest I don't think I am ready to have people read my first draft. Or ask all the questions about it.
What's it about?
Do you think you can really write 50,000 words in a month?
Who are you writing about?
Can I read it now?
Can I read it when you're done?
I have no idea what it is about yet. I mean I know, but I can't formulate it until I am done. Or close.
To be scared of someone picking on something that you devout so much time and effort in is natural. That is the point of this post. What you write is worth writing. Once you have written it, you get to self critique it, but don't worry too much. Don't try to compare your first draft to finished works by published artists! They have revised that piece so many times, and had it checked by editors over and over!
That one scene that you think is too short? Add to it! Go with your gut, and don't think back too much.
That character that is a bastard to everyone? You can decide when he goes away. This is your own novel!
I've decided to share some of my motivation-tips tomorrow, so hang in there for that if nothing else. Today's goal (6th) is 10,000 words. That is one fifth of your novel. If not today, then do it tomorrow. Prioritize differently then. Split the time with watching television. Welcome back tomorrow, good night NaNo:s!
By Yours Truly,
ETBlogsHome 2013-11-06
Today I cannot help but be in a split mindset. I have been pouring my heart and mind into my novel these last days. Today I had a day off and spent every minute writing at the library. Reached 12,000 words, which is great because I will definitely fall behind this weekend when me and the boyfriend are going away. Not actually leaving my computer behind but to be honest I don't want him sitting right next to me on the train when I am writing.
So there is what I want to talk about today. Are you secretive about your NaNoWriMo participation? I know my mother would not understand why I am doing it and won't let me put time off for it, so is anyone in the same situation? The only person that I have told of my participation is my boyfriend.
To be honest I don't think I am ready to have people read my first draft. Or ask all the questions about it.
What's it about?
Do you think you can really write 50,000 words in a month?
Who are you writing about?
Can I read it now?
Can I read it when you're done?
I have no idea what it is about yet. I mean I know, but I can't formulate it until I am done. Or close.
To be scared of someone picking on something that you devout so much time and effort in is natural. That is the point of this post. What you write is worth writing. Once you have written it, you get to self critique it, but don't worry too much. Don't try to compare your first draft to finished works by published artists! They have revised that piece so many times, and had it checked by editors over and over!
That one scene that you think is too short? Add to it! Go with your gut, and don't think back too much.
That character that is a bastard to everyone? You can decide when he goes away. This is your own novel!
I've decided to share some of my motivation-tips tomorrow, so hang in there for that if nothing else. Today's goal (6th) is 10,000 words. That is one fifth of your novel. If not today, then do it tomorrow. Prioritize differently then. Split the time with watching television. Welcome back tomorrow, good night NaNo:s!
By Yours Truly,
ETBlogsHome 2013-11-06
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