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NaNoWriMo

Courtney Johnson — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 06:02:17 +0000

Or… How I Learned to Shut Down My Internal Editor

I officially completed my personal NaNo goal on November 30th, just before 11:59pm. I reached 50,000 a few days prior and called it officially “done” but still managed to get a complete MS on the last night, just shy of the end of the month.

Is it perfect? No.

Does it need a lot of work? Yes.

Do I regret pushing through? Not even a little.

It’s actually a sound rough draft. I think it will be a very different editing process than TWD and I think, hands down, it’s about the best style of writing exercise that you can try.

Why?

It seems to be the only way to properly silence your internal editor. I tried every method for NaNo, from Write or Die to line by line in instant messenger. By the time that terrible red screen over at Writer or Die began creeping in on me for the fourth or fifth time, I *finally* gave in and let the muse take over.

And it was the most fun I’d had in ages. I stopped worrying about all those little things that plague my edits and found, on reread, that they weren’t there in the first place. Adverbs and passive voice? Not gone, but certainly not the problems I had in my first draft of TWD. The dialogue is strong, and the basic narrative is thought-out and cohesive. It needs stronger setting, more emotional introspection.

More sarcasm.

You know, the usual.

But in the end, I’m thrilled to death with it. I’m proud to display that certificate.

We’re over a week out from the end of that crazy month. How did you do? When will edit your novel?

Will you edit your novel?

A short note… Things have been a little crazy so far this month! I’ll be whipping this blog back into shape before those New Year’s resolutions are due. Thanks for hanging around!

Done!

Courtney Johnson — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:41:12 +0000

Or… Now what?

I am DONE! With the word count part, anyhow. The story still has a bit of work to be done, of course.

NaNo was fantastic this year – what a great way to try a new writing process on for size. I’ve learned a lot, and I think my writing is better for it. Best of luck to everyone that’s still working!

Next week, we’ll return to a semi-normal posting schedule. Look for these posts, coming soon: My Real NaNo followup, How I Outline Novels and maybe, just maybe, Openings.

The End is Nigh…

Courtney Johnson — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:57:08 +0000

Or… Oh No NaNo, November is almost over!

So, I’m sitting just shy of 41,000 words right now, and staring down the barrel of an insane goal: I want to finish today.

How do I plan to do this?

1) Write or Die.

2) Coffee.

Best of luck to all NaNo participants as we close in on November 30th!

How close to being finished are you? What’s your writing plan AFTER NaNo?

And From the Dust and Debris…

Courtney Johnson — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:22:54 +0000

Or…Oh My God, That’s What My Hair Looks Like?

Arose… these week’s word count: 17,792!

It’s not as far ahead as I’d like to be, but it’s still ahead of my daily goal, so who’s complaining?

So far, NaNo has been a terrific exercise. I’m still battling the internal editor, but she’s getting shut down more frequently. Whole chunks of time and words pass without me having a slight panic attack over a word choice(my or to? MY or TO?!) and I’m knocking through big chunks of the story.

Is it the best thing I’ve ever done? Of course not, but it’s some of the most fun I’ve had. I know beyond a doubt that some of the “keepers” that have crept in would not be there if not for the method of madness that created them.

Good luck as we head into week 2!

Word!

Courtney Johnson — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:52:04 +0000

I’m just about done writing tonight – the first 2.5 (1.5? Time change, anyone?) hours of NaNo have been wonderfully productive.

Today’s Total Words: 1929.

Just a little over a chapter! It’s a great start and I only hope I can up this pace as the month goes on. I may just end up with a complete first draft after all.

NaNo! – A Decision.

Courtney Johnson — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:05:48 +0000

Or… Oh, yes. I’m insane.

I’m doing the sequel, or Book 2, or whatever you want to call it. I feel crazy for choosing this, like I’ve crossed some invisible line at the decision to make such a huge time investment in the same set of characters. Oh my.

So, the outline is set. The chapters are created in CopyWrite and noted with their scene summaries. I’ll be posting a few times before the start of NaNoWriWo and when next Sunday rolls around, it’s on.

Best of luck to everyone participating!

NaNoaNoaNoaNoaNo…

Courtney Johnson — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:02:07 +0000

Alright, so I’m down to two choices. I looked upon the upcoming NaNo as a chance to step away from the TWD universe, but I’m wondering if I should embrace my current need to write those characters by starting on the sequel. Am I jumping the gun on the sequel in the first place? Who knows?

The story is there, I have a scene list and an outline, so should I write it or should I write the steampunk-meets-Star-Trek adventure I was planning? The second option isn’t nearly as developed.

This leads me to another topic – how long of a break do you like to take from your work before major editing? I’m running TWD through a crit process right now, and it’s been helpful to take the step back. I am, however, slowly realizing that I miss my daily involvement in that storyline and those characters. I’m ready to jump back in with two feet and a clear head.

What’s your process for editing? Does it vary from novel to novel or do you have a known, good process? How easy is it for you to deviate?