4 posts tagged “nanowrimo”
A little update on this year's NaNo attempt:
- I'm restarted three times already
- I should have almost 10,000 words by now but I don't
- I'm not checking my current words out because I know it will be bad
- I've contemplated killing off all my characters at least twice
- I fear for my sanity
The madness has begun. Fueled by Halloween candy, coffee, tea, and diet Pepsi I start NaNo 2008. I thought it might be nice to post my play list for those who asked about it.
National Novel Writing Month 2008 Soundtrack*:
- # 1 Crush - Garbage
- Would? - Alice in Chains
- Three Days - Jane's Addiction
- Roads - Portishead
- Iris - Goo Goo Dolls
- Sympathy for the Devil - Rolling Stones
- Sea Lion - Sage Francis
- Possession - Sarah McLaughlin
- So Long - Everlast
- Paint it Black - Rolling Stones
- The End - The Doors
- Sweeter and Sweeter - Alex Parks
- Half a World Away - REM
- Hallelujah - Leonard Cohen
- Born Slippy - Underworld
- Post Modern Sleaze - Sneaker Pimps
* So far, I'll probably end up adding more. Also these songs are in no particular order
When you're going to attempt to write a 50,000 word novel in the span of 30 days it makes sense to be prepared ahead of time. Here are some tips that I've picked up along the way
1) Have a decent outline..or at least an idea of what you're writing about: The rules say you can't start writing until 12am (local time) Nov 1st but you can make a plan for yourself. Even if you just plot everything out in your head, as long as you know what you want to write it will help avoid burning out right at the beginning.
2) Ignore your inner editor and critic: Nothing can throw you off like that voice telling you all the mistakes you may or may not be making. If you stop to edit then you're daily word count is going to be low and it may even cause you to get discouraged enough to quit. Tell that voice to bugger off on a vacation until you've finished your novel or December, whichever comes first.
3) Pace yourself: Don't set unrealistic daily and weekly word goals for yourself. If you write more then the 1666 words a day needed to end on time that's great, but if you can't then don't try forcing yourself to. As long as your story is flowing then you're fine.
4) Don't Panic!: Yes, it's a huge task. Sure others will have higher word counts then you, but that's okay. You're not in this alone so I repeat, DO NOT PANIC.
On a personal note, I like to have a play list of music that relates to the story I'm trying to tell. It helps get the words out when I'm feeling a little blocked. This may work for you too but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea.
This November I will be join many other writers attempting to write a 50,000 word novel in the span of a month, or as some call it NaNo. Check out NaNoWriMo.org to find out what it's all about.
This year will be my fourth year participating and hopeful this will be the year that I actually finish on time. My inner editor always acts up during NaNo and I'll get caught up in editing as I go which throws me off.
So I'm starting my prep early this year. I'm re-reading one of my favorite writing books, Novelist's Boot Camp by Todd A. Stone. That should help me kick the ass of my inner editor and critic so they shut up until December when I can actually start editing.
So much is going on in October typically I don't get a chance to do any prep. And although you can't start any of your novel before November 1st it is a good idea to get yourself ready for it.
I'm also going to be investing in a lot of caffeine.
