NaNoWriMo IS Coming. Will you be ready?

     November 1 through November 30 every year is pretty much my favorite month of the year.  Why you may ask?  Because its National Novel Writing Month, otherwise known as NaNoWriMo.   If you all have been following me for a while now, you know I've done quite a few posts on "How to Nano."  Truth is, I've loved writing those articles, and am gratified that they have helped others in their Nano quests.

    I'm compiling them into a book even, but plan on doing much more than that.  I want to expand into doing Nano webcasts, podcasts whatever you call them... but I haven't done any yet.   (Save one video for a kickoff to Nano party.

     If you have never done Nano, welcome!  You're about to embark on a journey that relatively few experience.  It's a challenge writing a Novel, though you are actually not writing a novel....
   
     You are writing a first draft of a novel.  Otherwise known as a "rough draft," there is a reason it is called "rough."  There are some who call it the "Shitty first draft," and that's because the first draft is to get the story out of you head.  Sort of like a data dump.  You shouldn't edit in first draft phase (I do make notes for later however, but I do not edit until after the first draft).  If I try to edit as I go, the story goes nowhere, and I lose my creative spark.  It's also the reason I really don't do outlines first.
   
     The first time I did a beautiful outline, it was perfect, I loved that outline.  Then Nano came, and the story refused to follow it.  Absolutely fought me tooth and nail, until I let it have it's "head," and then it flowed out like a flash flood.  It spilled gloriously all over the place, and it made for a much better story.  

      So feel free to look at my Nano planning/basic articles her in this blog, and see the links for handy reference, and have a glorious NaNo!

NaNoWriMo Basics:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/10/countdown-to-nanowrimo-2012-yes-it-is.html

NaNoWriMo 101 Basics Part 2:  The Sprint

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/10/nanowrimo-101-basics-part-2-sprint-so.html

NaNoWriMo 101 Basics Part 3:  Writing the Rough Draft.

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/10/nanowrimo-101-basics-part-3.html

The NaNoWriMo First Draft Pledge:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/01/nanowrimo-first-draft-pledge.html

NaNoWriMo Sprinting Tools:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/11/online-sprinting-tools-for-nanowrimo.html

NaNoWriMo Prep 2014 at the Karl Road Library Columbus Ohio 101914

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/10/nanowrimo-prep-gathering-karl-road.html

How I Got My NaNoWriMo 2014 Idea:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/10/how-i-got-my-nanowrimo-2014-idea.html

NaNoWriMo Prep:  Setting

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/10/this-is-place-i-live-nano-prep-episode.html

That Ole Nano Magic…:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/10/that-ole-nano-magic-has-me-under-its.html

The 40K Word Slump:  Nano

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-forty-thousand-word-slump.html

The “Thank God It’s Over Post NaNoWriMo Blues.” 

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-thank-god-its-over-post-nanowrimo.html

WINNING  August 2012 Camp NaNo:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/08/winning-camp-nano-august-2012.html

How To write 50k in a Month:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-to-write-50000-words-in-dayer-30-or.html

Character:  Getting to Know You (Creating Memorable Characters)

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/10/getting-to-know-you-creating-memorable.html

   

Character Interview. Rockland Moore Stormraevyn.

Doing Character Interviews are fun!  Especially with a character like Rockland Moore.  Read his interview on Kelly Blanchards "Meeting With the Muse!"

https://meetingwiththemuse.wordpress.com/2015/08/28/character-interview-lisas-rockland-moore/

COVER REVEAL FOR STORMRAEVYN IS HERE!

THE INTERVIEW WITH KELLY BLANCHARD!

https://meetingwiththemuse.wordpress.com/2015/08/26/author-interview-lisa-wooley/

My thanks to the wonderful Kelly Blanchard, for the interview.  And to Ms. Dominique Goodall who created the book cover.  We actually went through many iterations of this cover (based on feedback from many writer friends).   This is the version we love best!  I'm so looking forward to seeing it "In the flesh!"  

https://www.facebook.com/DominiqueGoodallAuthor?fref=ts

TABLE OF CONTENTS; NANO RELATED BLOG POSTS

As promised, links to my other blogs on the topic of NaNoWriMo, or 30 day novels:  

NaNoWriMo Basics:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/10/countdown-to-nanowrimo-2012-yes-it-is.html

NaNoWriMo 101 Basics Part 2:  The Sprint

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/10/nanowrimo-101-basics-part-2-sprint-so.html

NaNoWriMo 101 Basics Part 3:  Writing the Rough Draft.

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/10/nanowrimo-101-basics-part-3.html

The NaNoWriMo First Draft Pledge:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/01/nanowrimo-first-draft-pledge.html

NaNoWriMo Sprinting Tools:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/11/online-sprinting-tools-for-nanowrimo.html

NaNoWriMo Prep 2014 at the Karl Road Library Columbus Ohio 101914

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/10/nanowrimo-prep-gathering-karl-road.html

How I Got My NaNoWriMo 2014 Idea:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/10/how-i-got-my-nanowrimo-2014-idea.html

NaNoWriMo Prep:  Setting

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/10/this-is-place-i-live-nano-prep-episode.html

That Ole Nano Magic…:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/10/that-ole-nano-magic-has-me-under-its.html

The 40K Word Slump:  Nano

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-forty-thousand-word-slump.html

The “Thank God It’s Over Post NaNoWriMo Blues.”

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-thank-god-its-over-post-nanowrimo.html

WINNING  August 2012 Camp NaNo:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/08/winning-camp-nano-august-2012.html

How To write 50k in a Month:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-to-write-50000-words-in-dayer-30-or.html

Character:  Getting to Know You (Creating Memorable Characters)

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/10/getting-to-know-you-creating-memorable.html

The Call To NaNo:

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-call-to-nano-and-yes-this-is-me-in.html

Camp Nano (and Birthday) post :)

http://velvetdelenn.blogspot.com/2016/03/happy-birthday-to-me-and-time-to-start.html

So You Think You Can Write a Novel in a Month!

         There are many articles out there that put down the idea that you can't write a novel in a month.  Those that say my "November obsession,"  NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), is not a "real" novel.  There are others that say it's a waste of time, that nobody would read it if they knew it was written in only 30 days.  For the uninitiated, NaNoWrimo is a month where you write 50 thousand words.  This averages out to 1667 words a day (for a 30 day month).
   
        Those naysayers are correct, and I'm not going to say different.  But I bet I just threw a loop at you. "Oh come now Lisa, surely you don't believe that!"  While most novels are 80 thousand words and above;  I'm in awe of those like George RR Martin, and Diana Gabaldon,  whom have written epic length novels.  I'm not even sure how long they are, but they are massive!
 
       Truth is, I do believe you possibly could write a novel in a month.  If you do your first draft in say a week, and then used the rest of the time to revise and edit,,, you could have a ready to send to an editor/beta reader book.  But you'd have to work on that, and pretty much only that.  Those of us who have day jobs (raises hand) can't do so.   However, what you can do is write a FIRST DRAFT in a month.
 
       I've done it seven times during Nano, and 8 including the Camp Nano I did in August of 2012.  It's a first draft, which is called a "Rough Draft" for a reason.  My first attempt at the 50k was not the year I first "won," My first attempt was in 2005, though I had heard of NaNoWriMo for years from other friends, I just didn't want to do it before then.  Although I didn't make it, 35K, my heart really wasn't in it, I had lost interest early on in the story.  It was the year my father passed away that I dedicated it to him.  I hit the 50k for the first time.

      After that, it was easier to reach, for I showed myself that I could do it.  Sprinting with others (or word wars if you prefer the term), helped rack up those words.  Last year I finished in 16 days.  And there are those who do it in...brace yourselves.  ONE.  Yes, that is right, one day.  I know someone who has done it 2 times so far.  She went on to write like a million words in a month.  Granted that was a lot of typing, but she did so.  I think she should win a World Record, and the Guiness people induct her there.  Hmmm... I wonder what the world record is?  Off  to Google I go...

      Well, that was a complete waste of time...I could not find it.  My Google Fu failed me!  Curses!   That is a lot of words.  But like I said, at the end of the month, you have either a finished first draft, or have most of a first draft done.

        First suggestion is to not stop until you have finished the first draft. "Must not edit during NaNoWriMo," should be your mantra.

       Suggestion # 2:

         If I try to edit as I go along, I won't finish the first draft, or make the 50k.  Rough drafts are supposed to be crappy.  And believe me, you should see some of my first drafts <shudders>, they are frightening things to behold!  I actually have to write out of order, I may redo a scene that is later in the story, or skip to the end then work my way back, but I always put notes in to tell me later why.  If I try to edit as I go, I lose all interest in what I'm writing. get confused, or not know where I was headed.

        Now I may make some minor edits like spelling and grammar errors, cause it will be a less arduous process later on...but, I never do a full revision until after the first draft is done.  It's also first draft time that surprises are revealed.  Things I had not known come out and are a constant revelation.  Stormraevyn, my NaNo 2014 novel, was the same.

        The same goes for outlining before I start a first draft.  I have done that only once before, Nano 2012 had a gorgeous, incredibly good outline, I was so thrilled that I had one, that I had more fleshed out what was-going- to happen.   Yea, that didn't work out so much when it came to writing the draft during Nano.  The story refused to submit to my neat parameters. I meandered my way through it, trying to beat it into submission, but gave up and let it have its way.  What I found was a better structure, and more being revealed when I opened myself to what was being funneled through me.

         I think that is the other important thing.  I get bored if I have everything planned out.  The story has no spontaneity... no flow.  Usually when a story refuses to cooperate with me, it has much better plans, and after I let go and let it go it's way, I find it was a better story for it.  Though I still have those, "Are you REALLY sure you want to do this?" moments, but the story is most always right.

        So my words of advice to those who are scared or intimidated by the naysayers, or just the Nano competition itself...even if you don't get a finished first draft, or a malleable story out of the 50k, you have learned that you can make a writing goal, you've gotten over that hurdle.  You've won one of the most fun, infuriating, irritating and wondrous writing contests ever created.  Enjoy your laurels, you've earned them!

Write on NaNo Warriors all!

ANNOUNCEMENT TIME! "THAT WRITER CHICK" WILL BE FEATURED ON "THE WRITERS WORKOUT!" ETC!!!

      Thanks to all my followers first and foremost; because without you all, I would have given up long ago!

        And now to the new announcement.   My Blog "That Writer Chick," has been selected to be featured on a writing website.  I'm beyond thrilled, and deeply honored for this recognition.  I'm humbled as well.  It's something I've been working towards for a long time. 

       I spoke about hurdles a while back.  I still have some to overcome, but this is one less one to jump.  I also recognize that I've been extremely lucky as well.

     I have decided to use "Outwitting Steve," as the post that they will feature.  I've revamped it some, so it's hopefully even better.   That is the blog about overcoming "Writers Block."  Steve was the name of the hedge in "Over the Hedge."   The animals kept trying to think of ways of getting around the hedge, to go get food.   I love that movie a lot, and it also reminds me of why I write.

     Here are the particulars:

The Website:  "The Writers Workout."


http://www.writersworkout.net/ 

The Facebook Group:


https://www.facebook.com/groups/writersgames/ 


          This is the group that put on the games that I was part of.  There were 96 participants, and I believe I was in the top 20!  So I was really excited.  

          This is the second year that they've had the games, it was known as the NanoGames it's first year.

         So the date to look for is August 7th.   Yup this Friday!  

And even more exciting is that my cover reveal for STORMRAEVYN is coming out later this month!

So stay tuned for more exciting news!

Stormraevyn Character Interview (and Review of Author Review)

I have finally finished with the last bit of the Character Interview that I did for Kelly Blanchard.  My interview and the Rockland Moore interview will be posted in late August of this year.  The Author interview will also be doing double duty as the cover reveal for Stormraevyn.  So stay tuned for that as well!  

This is the my review of my Author Interview (see: https://meetingwiththemuse.wordpress.com/reviews/author-interview-reviews/)

NOTE:  Sorry, the link didn't work.

When I volunteered to do the author interview, I was expecting the usual, “Question and Answer” kind of format.  Getting a list of questions ahead of time, so I could make the answers worthy <smiles>.  But she told us that she was going to do things a bit…differently.

Instead of the above format, we were going to be interviewed live (through FB chat), and that we got to pick one of her settings.  I chose a waterfall, because Pisces!   She told us that we would be doing the dialogue responses as ourselves, but the actions we had to write in 3rd person.  For instance, “She fidgeted by the water until she got comfortable.”

I won’t lie, I was a bit apprehensive at first, not knowing how it would go.  But now I’m a real fan of this style of interview.  Kelly made it really relaxing and non-threatening.  The questions themselves were really thought provoking and beyond the normal interview sphere.  It was a writer and writer interview, so that is to be expected.

I can hardly wait until the Character interview…when Rockland Moore gets to have his say.