Becca and I are both still NaNoing, or, more accurately, still working on our NaNo novels. I am not writing 2,000 words a day.
We both met the 50,000-word goal on November 30th, and we both had a more-or-less complete story arc. But then we set a new goal of a complete draft, with plot holes filled and un-edited words somewhat edited, by the end of the year. That’s a lofty goal for me, but I’m going for it.
I continue to write “long.” That’s so unusual for me that I’m not sure what to make of it. I’m excited to see how it all reads when I go through it on the next round.
During NaNo, I compared writing a story to chipping away at rock to make a sculpture. At the time, I felt like I was chipping bits away in order to see what story was hidden within. This writing-long business feels more like making the giant lump of granite from which the story will eventually be carved. Just as I did with the story, I started that comparison in the middle and find I have to back up.
So my goal is to have a whole hunk-o-granite by the end of the year. At that point, I’ll start chipping away to better define the story within.
How’s it going for you, Becca?
Categories: Children's writing
Oh yeah, thanks! Increase the loss-of-face/guilt factor by the size of your readership. Right now, I feel like I’m slogging through the mud and snow that has kept me home most of this week due to to closed schools. I’ve been fighting an upper resipratory infection for two weeks and finally started antibiotics today. So, the truth is, I haven’t written much, but expect to be feeling better soon. I suggested the year’s end deadline and I am still aiming for it. We’re going to spend three days in Pagosa Springs, so I plan to alternate soaking and writing. I’ve done a lot of mental writing, but I need to get it down.
Yeah, that’s some pressure!
I’m sorry you’re ill. That’s no fun. I hope the drugs are working.
That just means you’re not as far ahead as I thought you were. It sounds as though we’re on a similar pace.