Comments on: NaNoWriMo

By: Rob

Rob — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:14:58 +0000

Most of what I read from the library book was echoed on NaNoWriMo, which either means it’s globally accepted advice or the NaNoWriMo people simply read the same book I did. ;) Basically to sum up a 200 page book in a couple of points, it said to write one hour a day, write whatever comes to mind, don’t worry about plot, and don’t worry about editing. The prevailing idea is that (A) a plot will develop on its own, (B) characters have a way of taking on a life of their own and leading a story in ways you didn’t originally imagine, and (C) editing/proofreading/spell checking use a different area of the brain than writing does, so shifting between the two tends to slow the process. It looks like the generally accepted method is to write during November and edit during December.

I’m sure there are as many methods of doing this as there are people who attempt it. Some do a lot of planning and outlining before 11/1 — others just “wing it.” While the latter sounds kind of exciting, I would hate to get 50,000 words into a story only to realize it didn’t go anywhere. I’d say at least a loose story arc would probably get you through the month … at least I hope it will.

By: Susan

Susan — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 13:53:59 +0000

I’m bursting at the seams waiting to write on 11/1. I’ve got so much stuff packed in my head. Hopefully it’ll come out right when I sit down to put it on paper. I wish I had read one of your books about writing. Too late now though – I have Statistics homework due so I have to finish it before I can start writing.

By: Dave Farquhar

Dave Farquhar — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 01:42:53 +0000

Good luck with it, Rob. There’s no way I can do it this year (not with an 8-month-old son and a long list of unfinished projects around the house), but I probably came close to that goal with the novel I wrote in college. I started it during finals week my first semester, and had it mostly finished in about a month. It wasn’t all that great–I was in over my head with it–but I think if I revisited it now, it might be worthwhile now.

And when I wrote the first book I actually published, I wrote at least that much per night. So while 1,667 words a night is difficult, it’s doable. Some nights you’ll do less, but some nights you’ll really get on a roll and do more.

By: Rob

Rob — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:48:08 +0000

My copy editors always gets a free copy!

By: shadow

shadow — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:47:13 +0000

I’ve already got 3-4 in the can right now that I’d never let anyone read. Hopefull that doesn’t forfeit my rights to read yours though.

By: Jamie Grove - How Not To Write

Jamie Grove - How Not To Write — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:58:04 +0000

Hooray for you and Susan! Writing a novel when you have someone else to push you is a great experience. I wrote both of my books as a solo writer and it was a lonely experience.

Best of luck to both of you this year!!! :)

By: Mom

Mom — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:27:21 +0000

I’ve always heard it’s much more difficult to write a short story than a long novel. I think I’ll try for the more difficult task. :-)