Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Hook, line, sinker...novel. (Or, a tale of NaNoWriMo)



I wrote a novel four years ago.  In 30 days.  It was my first attempt at NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), an internet based writing project that brings together professional and amateur writers from all over the world to get that first draft of a novel done.  DRAFT being the operative word here – the month is all about giving yourself the freedom (countered with the pressure of the tick, tick, tick of the clock) to just get it down on paper!

And in the sense that the challenge is to write a novel of 50,000 words I was a success.  My word count came in at 50,206. The story was creative fiction, based on my participation in a 12 week group therapy sexual abuse survivor’s group.  Yes I know - real light stuff…. The working title was “Creative Destruction” and it told the stories of 11 participants in the group, two counselors and a cast of a half dozen minor characters.  It was quite a challenge and an awful lot to take on for my first novel attempt!   

The first of November found me at the dining room table, computer on, a few handwritten notes and one of those plain white three sided display boards.  The board surrounded my computer on the table.  Not only did it provide me a place to post character sketches on index cards, seating charts, and the story’s timeline, it separated me from my “normal” life in the house.  When I was “behind the boards” I was a writer.  Period.  Not an easy task for a self-proclaimed multi task-a-holic like myself.  It instantly made the dining room table my writing office and as always, Steve & Abe, the two men in my life, respected that for the month and never interrupted me.

I was faithful to the suggested timeline of 1,666 words per day. It was the most dedicated and driven writing time I’ve ever experienced.  Along with the writing, I loved the camaraderie of the online groups, the list of foods (CHOCOLATE!) to help get you through your writing sessions, shared playlists that other writers listened to for inspiration and the weekly pep-talk emails from the organizers, published authors, and regional moderators.  I even broke out of my introvert shell a couple times and laptop in hand, attended a few regional writing sessions at local coffee houses. I felt like part of a writing community. 

I wrote at all hours of the day and night, struggled for words, worked through plot conflicts and rejoiced in the little victories.  I sent my last word count in on November 30th, and collected my “winner” certificate.  I’d really wanted to see if I had a novel in me, and I did!  Since then, I’ve worked some on the revisions, and someday, the rest of the world may see it, but not right now.  Not only have I not devoted the time necessary to a proper revision, I suspect I’m not yet ready to share that part of myself, even woven into a fictional story line.  

2009 held some deep personal losses for me and although I tried it again that November, I fizzled out after a few days.  Those losses and that fizzle had enough of an impact that I basically stopped writing for a couple years. 

Last fall that changed.  Simply put, I missed writing.  I challenged myself to write regularly in 2012.  I started my blog and am relatively happy with the flow of words that have started again.  Then, last week my fingers typed NaNoWriMo in my search engine, and up came the familiar blue and brown shield.  Then I logged into my account; browsed the forums, looked at the word count widgets and read a few of the author pep talks from years gone by.  Hook, line, sinker.  And who knows….maybe another novel born.  Let the countdown to November 1st begin - I’ve got a story in mind, a few characters to make it happen and a shopping list in hand.  Let’s see… I’ll need a stash of chocolate, a box of my favorite tea and of course, a new, pure white, three-sided display board.  

25 comments:

  1. I loved this, and find this kind of writing exercise so interesting. Wish I could have participated in one such thing. I would love to read your novel, the concept is amazing

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    1. Thank you - I really like the concept of sharing all those stories but the point of view gets pretty daunting. I really believe someday it will come together in a good publishable form. The group was a really amazing experience.

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  2. I'll be doing this too! I'm really looking forward to it. :)

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    1. Wonderful! Will you be blogging about it? And are you signed up on the site? Hope all goes well and wish you great success!

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  3. Interesting post. I have never felt brave enough to attempt NaNoWriMo. Your novel sounds interesting. I, too, have a novel that needs editing, a task I keep postponing.

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    1. Brave...crazy...with NaNoWriMo, it's pretty much the same. I have never felt such freedom writing as the push was on so heavy to just get it all down on paper, that I totally left the editor out of the equation. Jump in - give it a try!

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  4. Amy, you're doing it again! Good for you! I still have the one I wrote about (TEN? Yikes!) years ago in my computer file. I started revising it, made lots of notes, but got hung up, stopped, and haven't made it back yet. I think I may set a goal for next year of finishing my second draft. I do hope that someday you'll be ready to go back to your first attempt and get it ready to greet the world--I'd love to read it. I'm sure it will take courage, though. Good luck in November, and keep us posted on how you're doing!

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    1. As always Elaine, thank you for your encouragement! You know I will surely call on you to do a read when it's ready. I'm excited about this year. I feel like I am up to it and have a better idea of the road ahead now that I've been down it once!

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  5. You go girl! I have no interest in that particular exercise because I write when the mood strikes me and I write until I'm done. I don't count words, til I'm done. I don't worry about whether I wrote a chapter or a page or two sentences or whether I took a week off or a day off or several months off...it doesn't matter to me. It's all about the writing when motivated, period.

    Having said that, if it works for you...I am all about it!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Jo! Time will tell if it works, but I sure have fun. It's like a more intense April blogging session :)

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  6. Still thinking about this. Can I guest post this today? I think I might start a page with monthly or b-weekly posts by writers about their process, and I really think this is an interesting one for writers. let me know what you think.

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    1. Sandra - I'd be honored to have you guest post this. It would be my first guest post ever!

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  7. WOW I can not even imagine writing that many words. My hat is off to you. I think that would be just a little too daunting for as of yet. I sure admire your dedication!

    Kathy
    http://gigglingtruckerswife.blogspot.com

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    1. Thanks Kathy - but really, with your gift of storytelling, I easily could see you writing a novel weaving the stories of your mom and how your lives wove together so closely. It would be a great read in long form!

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  8. Ok, Dear, here it is. And I'll post it on our workshop FB group too:)

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  9. oh, and don't forget to tweet, digg etc it!

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    1. Oh my, you are WAY ahead of me. Don't tweet yet or Digg....I will post it on my facebook page though! I need to learn more of this stuff.... :)

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  10. I did NaNoWriMo a few years ago and completed the challenge, too. I've yet to go back and edit, but even now, I love the story and am attached to its characters. :O)

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  11. Thanks for stopping by Beth - I love your pieces and would love to someday read your novel. I'm sure it holds all sorts of goodness!

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  12. I've got NO story, but still looking forward to the craziness of NaNo.

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    1. THAT in itself can be your story! :) It is crazy and I can't believe how much I am looking forward to it as well! Good luck to you!

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  13. You are my hero. I struggle with nablopomo---a far different level

    What's Digg? Must google..

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    1. Amy, your everyday posts would make an awesome book! There as so many "Na...Mo" challenges, there's really something for everyone. (I wonder if anyone does them all? How could they do that and actually have a life?) Googled Digg and I am definately not up to that yet - I immediately see "time-sucker" and I don't have that much more to spare! lol...

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  14. wow..i think i am hooked now..hehe desire to do something with the photography..who knows. All i know its always a joy when you come and comment on my blog THANK YOU SWEETIE!!! and congrats on your book on Amazon!!!!!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Brenda. Reading your joy is always a pleasure. :) (Maybe a novel about your photography?)

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