It's getting harder to write 1667 words every day. I guess that's why over at NaNoWriMo they suggest that you get a huge head start that first week in November. Which I didn't. Oops.
I'm still keeping current with my word count, but the time between word-count checks ("Okay--I'm at 13874... Now I'm at 13882. Woohoo! Progress, baby!") is getting shorter and shorter. Also, my plot is moving about in ways I didn't expect. Also, I am easily distracted by babies. Also, my characters are behaving differently than they did when I first introduced them. Also, I am very tired. Also, I don't think I like artichoke hearts.
So, as you can see, writing a novel is difficult.
However, tomorrow my page count should jump up to 54 or 55, which will make this project the one for which I've written the most (my previous attempt, written during an entire semester, came only to 51 pages) and I'm also finding that despite really really wanting to get through those 1667 words so I can go to sleep, I'm actually enjoying my novel. I like the way things are happening, and characters and places are getting described naturally as I go along. I think it's working, mostly, and that's rather surprising to me.
At my book club this past Tuesday, I found out that Shannon Hale (author of recent Newbery honor book Princess Academy) sets a goal of writing 1000 words every day. Hearing that, and knowing that right now, with a full-time job, I'm pulling off 1667 words a day, I thought to myself, "Hey. I could do that."
So, I decided to quit my job, drop all other plans for the future and write full time.
Hahaha! Ohh.... *wipes tears from her eyes* That was a good one. Yeaaah.
Sigh.
11 comments:
Beth, can I just say, that you are HILARIOUS! I laughed out loud through your whole post. And, I can't wait to read your novel! Love you!
I'm WAY impressed. You want to know how many words I've actually written for this NaNoWriMo thing? Zero, that's how many. I'm pathetic. But if it counts for anything, I HAVE written some outlines/plans/character sketches. (But I don't think that really counts. Sigh. Someday I'll actually sit down and bite the bullet.)
Awww...shucks, Mary! I'm not really that funny... (Woohoo! I'm a funny chick!) No, seriously--thanks for being so nice to me. You're the ideal elder sis! :^)
And Lindsay, every month could be NaNoWriMo month. So...it's just kind of whatever works for you. And hey--don't dock your outlines/plans/character sketches. I didn't do any of that & I am definitely feeling the loss. Basically all I did was read the Grimm's tale "Brother & Sister" again for reference. Then I wrote. Dumb, dumb me. YOU, on the other hand, are SMART.
***Hahaha! The word verification is "oytac." I can just imagine someone gasping, then bouncing on one foot saying, "OY! A TACK!"***
So I've checked your nanowrimo site like three times and you never have anything posted? When do we get to read some?
Uggghh...Um... I'm not sure. I'm not sure if I'm ready to post an excerpt yet--it's kind of dumb, or at least it's seriously unpolished. And while my previous attempt at a novel was at least vaguely funny, this one is taking itself much more seriously. Unfortunately.
However, I will see what I can do. Maybe on one of these days where I'm able to breeze through 1667 words in no time I'll find a section that doesn't make me cringe too much. :^)
Okay. You've convinced me. I just put up a leeeeeetle excerpt for you guys. It's the stuff I'm writing today, so I haven't even done minimal polishing to it yet. Meh.
Anyway--take a peek here: http://www.nanowrimo.org/userinfo.php?uid=155189 (Click "Turn" on the bottom RH side of the page.)
Oh boy! You are such a good writer Beth!! I didn't know anything about the characters and already I'm wondering what's going on, how did they meet, how old are they, what was Rachel sick with, is she going to die, why are they wearing bonnets, do they have rocking chairs, why is Lana studying music now, why did she really give up drawing? So many questions!
Please don't be shy about posting your story....it gives me something interesting to read while I should be writing papers for school. I used to really love to write papers...until I was assigned over 90 pages to write in the last 3 weeks. Yes, 90 pages. I think I'm going to die. I have 5 pages left and I just keep staring at the stupid computer, hoping that you will have posted something new so that I won't have to write anything for a few minutes at least. Of course, I'm writing right now aren't I...
Opps!
Again, very well done Bethy!
OHMYHEAVENS...90 pages of non-fiction writing would be... Yes, I think I would die too. Eeeeuuurgghghg. *Gargles to death*
Hmm...I actually don't know how Rachel & Fiona met. I was going to write an introduction scene, but I didn't want to spend too much time on background, and Fiona was a more minor character then than she's become now. I'm actually tinkering with her marrying someone (oops! I'm saying too much!) but I'm not sure yet.
Rachel has been sick and virtually unconcious for two months with a fever. Although thinking about it, I'm not really sure if that's medically plausible. Oh, well. Rachel's not going to die, but she is going to recover rather slowly. She's the main character, so it wouldn't be easy to kill her off. :^)
They're in bonnets because I'm imagining the setting as somewhat Victorian England-ish, but...you know...not. At least culturally, they're going to be similar. I think.
Erm...Rocking chairs? I don't think so. Although they may have some that they keep in the closet, just to take out and look at now and then.
Lana's six years old, so the reason Fiona gave is accurate. Their older brother Steven made fun of her drawing, so she has since disdained to draw and instead has taken up music lessons (although Rachel does get her to draw again later on in this scene).
I'll try to post more of the story later. Maybe I should create a blog & just upload the whole darn thing there. Maybe. Again, I'm not really sure it's fit to be seen. I uploaded that segment you read because I (guiltily) rather like the way Fiona was teasing her sister. (I'm very wicked, you see.)
Pam, I seriously hope that you are able to get those last 5 pages written. Writing 62 pages (so far!) of this story has been grueling, so ICK. You are so much better than I am. :^) Of course, I already knew that. ;^) (Yay! You're cool!)
Okay. Now I really need to work on today's quota, so...BYE! :^)
I'm so totally impressed that you are writing a novel! I want to be first in line to buy it!
...my word verification was "ubkuheei" - my feelings exactly!!
Sadly, no will wants to read my papers though...not even the teachers that assigned them. Millions will be reading your books some day! Way to be proactive and efficiently using your time. I did finally finish the last few pages of papers and now I'm done, except for the ever present reading assignments, till after Thanksgiving. I made Polish food tonight to celebrate! Too bad you aren't here to share it. :(
You're fantasitic Beth and your book rocks!
Holy heck! I already have readers! Well, sort of. More people who would buy my books. Wow. Aaaw, shucks, you gals are great! :^)
And Pam, I am way sad that I couldn't be there with you. It stinks big-time to be 1841 miles away from good Polish food. Heck, I might even read your paper, although I'm sure it's much smarter than what my puny brain could comprehend.
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