Tag Archives: nanowrimo

NaNoWriMo: How did I do?

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In October I proclaimed I would be writing a 50,000 word novel in November to take part in NaNoWriMo.  So, how well did I do?  If you’ve been following my blog you’ll notice a complete lack of updates after I posted this.  Yes, that’s right, I made it as far as two days and 1868 words before I stalled.

Two days.

After those two days I had decided I didn’t actually like the story.  In fact, I’d started worrying about that before I even started writing it when I was doing the plot outline in October.  I’m not going to blame that for my lack of writing though, nor am I going to blame the cold I had early on, or the worry about my visit to the dentist.

Basically, I didn’t really enjoy writing.  I enjoyed thinking about the plot and coming up with ideas and problems, but I didn’t enjoy the process of converting those little ideas into a story, developing them.

I’m not sure if that means anything.  I just wanted to say it.  Anyway, for those who care, the 1868 words show up after the link (or right NOW if you’re using a feed reader).

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No Connection

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No Internet connectivity from work today due to a mess-up with a user ID expiring.  I managed to survive though.

In the car on the way in this morning I thought up a couple of story directions for the NaNoWriMo story, which is hopeful.

Grete’s absolutely terrible today, both a cold and some kind of sickness bug it would seem.  I’ll be working from home as much as possible this week.

NaNoWriMo: Day 2

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No progress on the novel today, in fact, negative process.  I don’t like the story, I don’t like where it’s head and I’m not sure I even like the genre.

Or the hero.

That can’t be good huh.

NaNoWriMo: Day 1 update 3

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In the spirit of NaNoWriMo I’m not going back and editing the stuff I’ve written.  No time for re-writes.  However, I am going back and re-reading it (to keep consistent) and to see how I well or badly I think I did certain bits.

There’s one bit I’m pleased with so far (yes, I know, early days).  In the first major conversation of the story one guy is doing a lot of talking and is clearly agitated.  Twice I went to write “so and so, clearly agitated” and stopped myself, and instead, I wrote these.

Philip sat down again, clasping and unclasping his hands.

Philip stood, and then sat down again almost immediately.

… his hands returned to gripping his knees tightly.

Hopefully I got the show don’t tell bit right.

NaNoWriMo: Day 1 update 2

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Had a bit of a burst, got the main character in to a chat with his first contact, and that conversation drove the word count up.  Hopefully it drives the story along and doesn’t sound like I’m just telling a story.

NaNoWriMo word count:1868

NaNoWriMo: Day 1

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Day 1, and after a full breakfast, and some shopping, I still feel crap with the cold.  I really had no clue where to start the novel.  But I guess everything starts with the first letter.

590 words in now and actually quiet excited, because it’s already the most I’ve ever written in terms of a book.  I’ve written many thousands of words for roleplaying modules and backstory etc.  But this is the first time I’ve really had a go at writing an actual story for the sake of it.

The NaNoWriMo site is slow (they warned us it will be for a few days), and I’ve got an image link in the sidebar so the page may load slowly for a little while until things calm down.

Wish me luck.

NaNoWriMo word count: 570

In November, I’m writing a 50,000 word novel

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I’m telling you this, because the advice from NaNoWriMo is, and I quote,

3) Tell everyone you know that you’re writing a novel in November. This will pay big dividends in Week Two, when the only thing keeping you from quitting is the fear of looking pathetic in front of all the people who’ve had to hear about your novel for the past month. Seriously. Email them now about your awesome new book. The looming specter of personal humiliation is a very reliable muse.

See you in December, and we’ll see if I look pathetic or elated.