You’re ankle-deep in your NaNoWriMo novel, I’m guessing, by now.
So, this seems like a good time to ask: how goes it? It’s still early. How’s the energy? The vibe? Is it working for you? Anything not working? Be in terms of schedule, story, character, plot, theme, caffeine levels, general pantslessness, heinous fuckery, and the likes?
Give us an update. How goes NaNoWriMo for you so far?
Anything anyone can help with?
AJ says:
I’ve averaged just about 2k a day by now. Really loving the vibe right now. Its my third year of doing NaNo and I haven’t had a smoother start till now. Love being able to write properly again after a long hiatus of apathy.
November 4, 2013 — 3:33 PM
Jenna Bird (@jbird_writing) says:
Day 4. Almost done with today’s minimum word count, at the least. Came out ahead of the “daily average” the first three days and feeling alright. I accepted a challenge to write some stuff outside my genre/comfortzone and honestly… it’s been more freeing than TRYING to write the fantasy I worked on last year.
This year’s project is not a novel but 5-7 thematically (or something) connected short pieces. I thought I was going to finish #1 yesterday but it has been reluctant. But oh, it is finishing today, I mean it.
November 4, 2013 — 4:31 PM
Remy says:
I am at about 22.5k words. I haven’t written that much today…less than 1k. I’m hoping that i can write quite a bit more tonight. ^^
November 4, 2013 — 5:42 PM
tigs (@syzara) says:
Posted elsewhere earlier that it was going well and relatively easy.
And then I noticed that I failed to write enough words for the 4th before day switch… Night went a bit differently than expected.
/only a few hundred words behind though
November 4, 2013 — 5:57 PM
Becca says:
I’ve already fallen behind, but I’m encouraged by the fact that I feel bad about it. In previous years I’ve just said “Oh well” and moved on. But this year I’m going to try to catch up — the words are flowing and it feels great when I do write. Just need to find the time…
November 4, 2013 — 7:29 PM
eporter70 says:
Way behind, but that’s the norm for me, alas.
November 4, 2013 — 10:11 PM
Kate says:
One of my best friends is in the hospital with a severe brain injury. He fell down a flight of basement stairs a little over seventy-two hours ago and is still unconscious. I’m trying to write in the hospital either in his room or in the waiting area. I’m not getting much progress done, but I know that if I leave and try to write at home or at a write-in I’ll just feel guilty for not being here and not write at all.
This is my third year attempting to write and each year something major happens that prevents me from buckling down and getting the job done. I wonder if perhaps that means I’m not a writer/author/whateverthefuck at all.
It just feels so difficult to go into writing when I am already under a lot of emotional/mental stress. I’m trying to channel it, but I feel like a failure. Again.
Sorry for leaving this here. I just don’t know where to express the desire to write while being here for my friend without sounding like an asshole. In an ideal world he will wake up and begin the long journey he has to recovery and I will for fucking once finish what I started.
I feel like I’m being a terrible person. If anyone has any thoughts or advice on how to approach writing while dealing with a situation like this I’d be grateful.
November 5, 2013 — 8:20 PM
terribleminds says:
It’s very difficult to write through trauma and drama — NaNoWriMo isn’t the only time of the year you are allowed to write, though. So, don’t do it right now — that’s all good. But December. Or January. Or March, May, whenever. Pick up the pen when you can. — c.
November 5, 2013 — 9:11 PM
Kate says:
Thanks for that. It just seems like every time I get set to finish what I am working on, some huge dramatic thing happens and I stop. I spend whatever time I need to put things in order and then more drama ensues before I can start.
I can’t differentiate between excuses and legitimate life stuff anymore. Maybe I just need to focus on writing a little bit everyday.
Maybe 350 words is a more realistic goal than 1,667. Thank you for your thoughts. It was more helpful than you know.
November 5, 2013 — 9:29 PM
David says:
I’ve never written this much. At the end of day 5, I’ve bled 14k words and it’s horrible but I’ve learned to ignored the things I really, really want to stop and tweak until the first draft is done. My outline was really strong for the first third of the story but now I’ve reached the “Here Be Dragons” portion of the map. There’s a rough idea about where the characters are taking this but my comfort level is not as high here as I’m about to introduce a lot of new characters and my protagonists motivation has changed. At least I have a very clear picture of where I want to be at the end. It’s scary, challenging, and I’m finding it extremely rewarding. I’m loving it when I’m not hating it.
November 6, 2013 — 2:03 PM
Jeff says:
I’ve well head of the ball on NaNo this year, though I provided myself I would not worry about actually making word count since I am just using it as a sort of motivational tool to develop the 1st draft on my second book. I needed a short break from final (well final before submission) of the 1st. Your outlining advice has been spot on both this year and last year.
November 6, 2013 — 3:06 PM
curiouskermit says:
This is my first time writing for NaNo, and the first time I’ve ever started writing a novel. It’s very exciting, and a bit overwhelming. I have an outline, and I have already written the final scene, so I know where I want to end up. My characters almost immediately ignored my outline, although they are in agreement with where this is going. Right now they are going forward on their own way, introducing plot elements I am thinking I might need a second book to fully explore. My word count is between 800 and 1300 a day, since I can only write before I leave for work in the morning. I am okay with this though. I am looking at finishing this first draft at the end of January.
So far so good! Exciting and terryifying, this whole writing thing is so awesome. Thank you Chuck for all of your advice and wisdom!
November 7, 2013 — 1:09 PM
Lore Wilde says:
I’m hanging in there. It’s day 7 and I have 13,305 words. Not bad considering that I lost Saturday and Sunday to a drunken haze with friends. This is my first WriMo and I embrace the advice thrown my way. I’m relieved that I had time to come up with a solid story idea and plan a loose outline. I’m also writing in a variety of atmospheres and at staggered times (10 am at home, 4 pm at the local yogurt shop, after water aerobics at a coffee house).
I’m tired, of course. I am used to writing daily but my normal word counts run in the 500-800 word range. I’ve far exceeded my usual daily word count.
I’m loving the entire experience- from the people I’ve met on the NaNoWriMo site to pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. I already consider the WriMo to be one of the best things that I have done to further my writing life.
I’d like to thank you, Chuck Wendig, for providing such a variety of articles, posts, and lists to help the many people that are attempting this challenge. It has also been exciting to find so many Chuck Wendig fans on the WriMo site. When folks are having trouble, I notice that your links to various WriMo based subjects gets thrown around as a lifeline of advice and support. You Rock Socks, Wendig.
November 7, 2013 — 6:50 PM
Danno Bikes says:
Like a teenage boy the first time having sex I blasted through it hitting 30K on day 4, now its Day 8 and Im at 35K running out of ideas.
November 8, 2013 — 8:23 AM
Rebecca B. says:
This post made me giggle.
Have you checked out the NaNo forums? There are tons of forums for helping get ridiculous ideas to write about.
November 8, 2013 — 12:07 PM
Danno Bikes says:
This is my 4th nano and Ive never used the forums. We have a very active ML and group so its our Facebook group is always going. I definitely will check them out.
November 8, 2013 — 3:44 PM