So I did it. I signed up to do this year’s NaNoWriMo. That doesn’t mean that I have signed my life away and committed myself to something I can’t get out of, but it does mean a step that makes it seem real.
I’ve spent most of this year re-writing my novel. Having done that, I’ve edited and will be continuing to work on it. But it’s in a good place and it seems like the perfect time to have a break from it. That’s why I’ve decided to start book two.
I want to continue Jake’s story, to watch him develop as a person, learning to accept who he is and what he can do. I also want to see where his relationship with Sophie takes him and how he will cope with massive fallout of what he learned about his parents at the end of book one. Yes, I’m not finished with him yet.
The idea for book two has already begun to take shape. In fact, I started writing it sometime ago, but didn’t get far. That’s why it feels the right time to revisit this idea and work on it. Next month’s challenge is as good an excuse as any.
National Novel Writing Month, though not for everyone, is a way of knuckling down and getting on with the writing. For that is the whole point – just write. Sometimes you can become bogged down with research, characterisation, plot, setting, you name it and it can slow things down. Of course, all these things need to be done in order to make your story the best it can be, but there’s time for that. Sometimes you just need to go for it and do the writing. See where it takes you and you might just surprise yourself.
No one comes out of November with a finished novel, not really. What you do get is a hell of a lot of writing done, whether you reach 50,000 words or not. That’s all I really want out of next month. It’s my kick up the bum to make a decent sized dent in the next chapter of Jake’s life. Some people have the discipline to write like a Nanoer possessed in their everyday writing lives, but not me. I have too many other things going on, distractions that take me away from the writing that I love the most. So I’m saying bugger off to all those other distractions, just for one month. It’s all I ask and I don’t think it’s too much of an ask, not really.
The house will be a mess, the kids might starve, no one will have any clean clothes and if they do, they will be creased and crumpled, I will probably have fingers permanently set like crab claws and mad back ache, but who cares? It’s all about the writing innit?
Sharing this for What I’m Writing.
Good luck Nic. Hope the words flow and the cramp keeps at bay. Many thanks too for your email, response coming over to you today. xx
Well if not, I tried and it’s the thought that counts.
Good luck – bet you’ll get loads written. When I did a camp nano it definitely helped me get writing done – I told the kids how many words I was trying to get written and they got quite excited about it (think they thought I would be a published author by the end of the month!) and kept asking about word counts. It motivated me even more! xxx
If only that were the prize!
I’m also attempting this challenge. Seems rather daunting at the moment but fingers crossed we both survive the experience!
Yeah. What is your profile name? Mine is Nikki Young
“It’s all about the writing innit?” About 20 years ago I might have replied with “Inni tho”. I was trying a thing. It didn’t suit me! 😉
But yes, it is indeed all about the writing. Good luck with NaNo! I bet you’ll write more than you think 🙂
That makes me think of Catherine Tate. Thanks for the support. I’m looking forward to giving it a go.
Good luck! It sounds like you’re all set to go. Your last paragraph? That’s my life permanently! Well at least I remember to feed the children anyway. You seem to have all the ideas there so I’m looking forward to hearing how it goes.
It’s hard to find the balance between writing prolifically and doing everything else. There is no way I could manage to write like that the rest of the year.
This is so exciting and I can’t wait to hear how you get on! Like you, I’m parking novel 1 for a bit but seeing as I have just had baby #2 Nano isn’t quite there for me this year. I definitely want to try it in the next couple though. What I’m most interested in is whether you plan to get interactive with others on your Nov WIP. I think the forum is great for that but knowing me, I would become rather enchanted/distracted with networking and mutual critique (blogging almost) and fear I might contaminate the raw writing element that makes Nano the powerhouse of endurance that it is. Do you have a game plan? Thanks for sharing.
I have a Nano group in my town and we will be meeting once or twice a week to write together. It’s a great support network and in fact, Kent in general has a huge Nano following. Most of those people are writing year round.
That sounds fantastic! Keep us posted!
I’m really excited for you! I almost wish I was in a position to park everything else and just get properly stuck into writing again, but I don’t think I’m quite there yet… Looking forward to following your NaNo journey though – good luck!! xx
I know. It’s fallen at a time when I can say to hell with it, let’s give it a go and I need it to spur my on with the next project.
Oh, good luck! I’m so glad you’re writing more about Jake, you know I love that character (I want to read book 1!). Here’s me planning to take time off, and you’re getting stuck right in 🙂 Look forward to hearing how it’s going x
I can’t wait to continue his story and it’s made me more determined to go for it with getting it published. I love him too!!