Category: Nanowrimo

Brainstorming, Ideas, and the old stuff

7/31/2013

Yesterday, I printed out a couple of chapters from a novel that I started during NaNoWriMo 2012 (National Novel Writing Month - it's in November). I took it to my writer's group to get some initial feedback.
AND NOW I'M ALL EXCITED ABOUT WRITING & EDITING IT MORE!!
A few weeks ago while I was teaching scriptwriting to a group of kids, I decide to brainstorm some ideas while the class was writing. (It can get rather boring watching others write, so I had to do something.) The first list of words on the paper were a bit dull...or very dull, not inspiring at all. But then I lengthened out the ideas around a topic and then I came up with a funny title and then some silly songs popped into my head and suddenly there were a couple more laughable titles--
AND NOW I'M ALL EXCITED ABOUT WRITING THOSE SCRIPTS!!
The other day, I told my daughter about an idea for a novel and she laughed
AND NOW I'M ALL EXCITED ABOUT WRITING THAT NOVEL!
And then I worked on my website a bit today and was reminded that I want to get my next book formatted by the end of next week (actually, I wanted to finish it months ago) and...
NOW I'M ALL EXCITED ABOUT FINISHING THAT BOOK!
Sometimes it's the little things such as brainstorming, looking at my ideas list or pulling out the old stuff that gets me re-enthused about my projects.
My writing time for today is over but
I'M SO EXCITED FOR TOMORROW!!!

(What gets you going again on that unfinished project?)

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why I hate nanowrimo & why i still love it

12/3/2012

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NaNoWriMo is over and I am so glad! Why? Because it was intensive making up a new story, because it absorbed most of my waking thoughts, because I almost didn't want to see a computer again for as long as I could stand it. (I actually shut down my computer for all the Thanksgiving weekend.)

But I still love NaNoWriMo. Why? Because I did it! Because I did make up a story even when it was hard to do; because more than anything, I noticed that a little work goes a long way. Today, even though I didn't have a word count to fulfill, I sat down at my computer for several hours and edited two picture book stories, reworked my website (slightly) and wrote this blog. And it didn't feel like work.

The hardest thing to overcome when being a writer are distractions. During NaNoWriMo, I learned to ignore distractions. I think I can carry that over and start working consistently on my writing. (Key word is consistent). I have 5 more short scripts to prep before I ebook them. Now that I know I can put my "butt in the chair and just write," I will get those scripts done by the end of December, without breaking a sweat.

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5 Reasons Why I Like NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)

11/3/2012

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National Novel Writing Month is a time of complete writing abandon. The goal is to create a new novel of at least 50,000 words during the month of November. This is my fourth year to participate. To some, it seems counterproductive to just write quantity without writing quality. But I love it for the reasons listed below.

I'm a busy person and there are some things I just can't justify spending a lot of time on. But NaNoWriMo is my excuse to concentrate wholeheartedly on writing. It only happens once a year.

It wasn't until NaNoWriMo in 2009 that I actually FINISHED a complete novel. I was amazed I could do it. I had never completed an entire book before because I was too busy trying to make every word count--I was aiming for quality. I discovered getting the storyline on paper NaNo style--quantity--alllowed me to return to edit later. (I've now finished a novel in 2009, 2010, 2011, and I plan on finishing one for 2012)

My inner critic goes AWAY. Because I'm working for speed and word count, I'm not worried if there's a better word for "beautiful" or "happy"; I can improve those with the editing process. But during NaNoWriMo I get to write an entire story.

My self-discipline shines through. It is so much easier at the end of the day to relax by watching a movie or reading or just dinking around on the internet. But during NaNoWriMo, I sometimes set my alarm early and I'll skip the movie to write another 1000 words. It boosts self-esteem to know I can manage self-control.

My family, especially, will forgive me the time I spend in front of the computer writing. My friends are also supportive. Because NaNoWriMo is an organized group, I'm officially allowed to spend HOURS writing and ignoring most everything else.

Now if you'll please excuse me, I won't be editing this post because I really must get back to writing my fourth complete novel!

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Brainstorming, Ideas, and the old stuff

why I hate nanowrimo & why i still love it

5 Reasons Why I Like NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)

Marian, that's me!

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