Midpoint of Nanowrimo

Word counts is all anybody talks about when it's midway through Nanowrimo. Are you anywhere close to the 25,000 midpoint?  Somehow I've managed to get within spitting distance of it. Not exactly reached out and grabbed it, but if you gave me a leg-up, I could get it.

How're you doing? It's way too soon to be throwing in bizarre plot twists and zombie scenes, so just stick with the plan, push a little harder, and NO EDITING! :D That's for December.

Ketchup Catchup

Hey, can only stop for a second - a nano-second that is... by tomorrow night I need to be at 25,000 words. I'm currently almost at 17,000. And I'm sposed to go out tomorrow to hear my friend read her poetry. Gah! So stretched! So worth it!  I have a plot and I'm running with it. It is so much easier to write an intense action scene than to get from one action scene to the next. Very interesting.. Mwah! Behave, and remember: no editing until December!

Nano status: a little behind ( | )

So, we're just over a third of the way in, and the word count is.... 1 day behind. Oh come on! That's pretty good! I don't write on Friday nights, and I've had two plot derailments already. I'm on Chapter 8 or something like it and the MC has finally met her man. Well, maybe her man. They're only about to have coffee - we'll have to see how it goes. 
I understand these are normal events in Nanoland.  My husband (who does NOT write) helpfully suggested I could just write something else. He doesn't know that my characters and I collaborate on the plot. Like a carver trying to release the sculpture hidden within the tree. It's interesting so far, I think... -EEK! Self doubts! Nooo! Stay back! There will be NO editing until December!!!! *left hand slaps right* Get away from the delete button. WHEW! That was close.
This has been very helpful, thank you. I can see now that I must interweave my characters in the mid section of the manuscript.  Well, ta-rah! for now...  

Nano nerves

I don't know if I'm being affected by the impending storm, but I'm getting really wound up about writing this story.  It's not going to be fictional for once, and it's supposed to be enlightening. Boo! Unknown territory! Yuk! Why Why WHY am I doing this to myself????

Anyone else have pre-Nano tremors?  how do you do character outlines for REAL people?

nano..what? NaNoWriMo!

It's almost November, folks; and, for writers, that means nano time.. where we each try to write 50,000 words between Nov 1 and Nov 30. (Yes, of the same year - silly rabbit!)  Head over to nanowrimo.org for more info.

I have entered 4 times and completed the challenge 3 times. It has actually been a few years since I've completed a challenge, so it's about time I got back down to business. My handle is crazynance if you want to look me up. Comment below and I will add you to my friends list.  Got to go, there are plots to be hatched!

No schedule, no progress

Remember I was not Nano-ing because I would be editing? Guess what? :(  No schedule, no progress!  In Nano, there is an intense deadline that must be met or the participant falls almost hopelessly behind.  That's part of the fun and part of the usefulness of Nano- it drives you forward.
My editing has not started and we are officially in Week 2 of Nano! It has been a busy first week of November, but still... not a word edited.  I'm just looking around my desk area, and in fact, the manuscript isn't even down here. It's still up in my room. So I am myself subject to the very advice I gave my college going son: make a schedule and stick to it. Doh! *facepalm*


Now, let's turn to positive things, like completing the dog's walk before the rain started, and drinking a lovely pink smoothie for breakfast. It had soaked raw almonds, 1/2 c rice milk, 1 banana, 1 pear, pieces of 1 clementine, 2 big strawberries, 1 c honeydew melon, 1/4 c wheat bran and 1/4 c raw pecans. I ran it on Grate for a while 'til everything looked mixed, then buzzed it through on Liquefy til it looked smooth.  Picture will be up later today. Very fresh and light, just like its light pink colour promises.


Moral of the day: Even when we 'mess up', God is not mad at us.  He lovingly encourages us to keep at it, not in our own strength, but in His awesome strength and unlimited provision. God hates sin, but ALL sin was paid for at the Cross. Past, present and future! That's why as Believers, we are Ministers of Reconciliation.  Guilt is gone when you trade places with Jesus - and that's what He is willing to do for us! O! Awesome Love! The debt is paid, the feud is over, it's safe to come home! Run home to Father's open arms. He has a plan for your success, the resources to see it happen, and He longs to shower us with blessings. This offer is open to everyone.

October is Outline Month

Surprised? Not if you're a Nano-er!  November is novel writing month, and October is outline month.  That is, if you want full-bodied, exciting characters and some idea of where your plot is supposed to go.  Believe me, I've tried it with and without an outline, and outline wins.  Otherwise your plot meanders in circles or races off into the distance... but without the supporting background, it becomes so thin that it snaps its thread and you're left either reworking the whole thing or starting over.
*SAD FACE* Just the memory is horrifying.
I actually have an idea of a plot already.... ok, what I really have is a Main Character (MC).  Now I have to put her in a 'situation', or a 'crossroads', so the story can have a reference point. In November I am supposed to issue our club newsletter, so I have to have that done in October to free up my time in November for novelling.
Since re-dedicating my life to Jesus, I now like my novels to have a moral, or show a lifestyle not usually seen on TV, movies etc., a possible alternate way of approaching problems to what people automatically fall back on.  Hopefully my novels will be uplifting to the reader.

In case you are not a 'noveller', and would like to know more, the event is National Novel Writing Month (nanowrimo) and the website is www.nanowrimo.org.
Rules are easy (ok, not easy - simple): write 50,000 words between Nov 1-30. Any subject, any age, any anything! Submit by uploading online.  To do this, you go to the site and create a free account. THERE IS NOTHING TO PURCHASE. It's just for fun. (Although if you complete the challenge, you 'win' a shiny web badge!)  Before November you can do plot outlines, character developments, theme songs, art work, just no actual story.  Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide will be participating and you will get encouraging emails from the Office of Letters & Light.

Got a story? Got an idea? Feel like being all crazy and wild-eyed in November? Let's DO IT! :D