Newbie WriMos Unite!

I seriously think I don't have enough main event for 50k words. Also I feel like I'm writing in circles.

AAACK!

I know what you mean. i'm rather behind at the moment. been sick and unavailable for the computer, and i'm 4 days behind. i'm hopin i can make those up.

~JZ~

Best advice: take a breath, get a cup of tea, and jump back in as soon as you can. 1667 words per day adds up. If anyone wants to talk plot, or needs help figuring something out, ask here or PM me. I'll be happy to help. Would also recommend coming to a write-in if you can. The energy there is inspiring.

Trilli

ML for Tacoma/Pierce County Region
Forums Moderator: Plot Doctoring

i think i goofed. i was up late last night typing after work. i wasnt paying attention to word count jus strickly typing and ran on and started toward the ending of my story but when i stopped and did the word count im only at like 15-20k words...i might have ruined my story and nano success hopes because i had the story figured out....what do i do?

50,000 words. I had know idea what I was getting into. I am so envious of all you wrimos with 10,000+ words. I wasted Sunday picking out which novel project to work on and with work, kids and other pre-nanowrimo commitments I have to work with 45 minute blocks of time here and there. I can't wait for Saturday and Veteran's Day (two days of full time writing).

On the other hand. My novel is growing. It is terrible, malformed, beautiful and exhilarating. I'm loving every minute of the whole thing . . . even the frequent dreadful moments when I am sure this is impossible. When I look back and I have defeated those moments I'll be glad. I will have done something worth doing.

I think we both need to go back and add more plots: mine has ONE big central one, but not many small ones. I was noticing that most of the books I read have up to 15-30 small plots - places where you ask yourself, "well how did that happen/why is he that way/what could have gone wrong on the way to getting it right?"

When in doubt, add backstory and subplots. Those eat up word count like nothing else. Plus historical information about characters helps explain their motivations and actions and subplots add dimension to your story, especially if they mirror the main plot.

Just a thought.

So far, the only advice I could have for any fellow newbies (resisting the word n00b) is to just go crazy. XD It seems to be working out well for me up to this point. Everything, no matter how ridiculous, should be included in your novel. Including the apparently infamous Traveling Shovel of Death.

I hit a rough spot writing earlier today (switching from the excitement of describing hell to a normal, boring human can do that to you), but a break to go to band practice and a chance to eat some insanely greasy pizza helped immensely. Don't kill yourself trying to sit down and write the whole thing in one shot. You will develop carpal tunnel and lose feeling in everything below the waist.

Also, telling other people that you're working on a novel can be incredibly exciting inspirational. If all else fails, check out this video from Nerdfighter - and this year, fellow participant! - John Green. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCTO91aBFXk

I am a writer, a writer of fictions; I am the heart that you call home. And I've written pages upon pages trying to rid you from my bones.
-The Decemberists, The Engine Driver

Everyone goes through it, I promise. Before I got my pacing down I had the exact same problems. And the first year I deleted, which is one of the reasons why I didn't hit 50K. If you write something that doesn't quite fit or that makes you cringe when you read it, just put it in italics, and move on. Start a new page. It's okay. I promise.

And Benzomi it is a scary thing. But awe inspiring and amazing. Once you get through the first book, you realize that this is actually possible and you're going to want to do it more than once a year.

Just follow the muse where she takes you. And if you haven't already locked up your inner editor, stick him/her in the freezer right now. Draw her on a piece of paper and seal it in an envelope. It's a signifying moment that will enable you to get past a block.

I suggest one big plot and a few minor plots. Mine is horror with a little action and romance thrown in. And zombies. Lots of zombies.

I also recommend coming to a write in (more are scheduled now, so please look at the calendar. They're everywhere during all times. And we've got three big ones coming at the end of the month too. All words add up!)

Good luck. I'm going to dive back in before work. I hope I get a few hundred words down...

Trilli

ML for Tacoma/Pierce County Region
Forums Moderator: Plot Doctoring

i've been under the weaqther so to speak so I only have just over 8000 words so far. I will work on it more today. Anyway was suffering from writers block and was talking to a writing friend. It was suggested to me to change from 1st person to 3rd. It worked wonders. I have not edited it yet but I marked where I changed for when i get to the editing page and it added about 2000 words right away. This is coming together so much nicer now. I will fix it all later. Whoo hooo writers block over

I have been unable to write this week so far due to work. I am working a 24 hour shift on saturday so i am hoping to have a sucessful word count from that. I figure i can probably get 25k out of it since I wrote 13.5k in the first day in like close to 12 hours. Wishing all of you the best and keep up the great work. Soon we will all have stories to share with our friends and family.