Browsed by
Tag: nanowrimo

NaNoWriOhNo and writing rest days

NaNoWriOhNo and writing rest days

For the second year in a row, I am totally sucking at NaNoWriMo! It’s pretty frustrating, to be honest, as I want to write this story–or at least I thought I did. I’ve been wondering, lately, about what kind of stories I really want to tell.

In truth, 2018 has been kind of sucky (well, yes) but creatively-speaking, as well. Personally, I’ve moved countries (for hopefully the last time for a while!) and landed in the beautiful Oxford, but setting myself up here took most of the summer. Basically, between the release of MAGE OF INCONVENIENCE and RED BETWEEN THE LINES is like… A lot of packing and silent screams. And very few words indeed.

So, I’d hoped NaNoWriMo would cleanse the mental palette. Uh… It hasn’t worked quite like that. But! I think there’s light at the end of this long and drafty (It’s A Pun) tunnel. This ‘non-writing’ experience has made me question what it was about my completed stories that drove me to the end of a first draft, and to consider the common themes they share, and my motivations in writing them at all. We often think about the motivations of characters but not necessarily ourselves, and that’s valuable knowledge to have!

But it can be difficult to take time out of writing to think about writing. It feels like shirking one’s duties. For me, I consider it the same way as following a gym program–rest days are just as important to the process as the days you lift. In a world where you’re advised to Write Every Day, I think days not writing hold equal weight.

So that’s what I’m doing. Thinking and cheerleading and not-writing. No pressure, 2019, but I’m expecting great things from you.

To everyone mid-NaNoWriMo: YOU’RE DOING GREAT ILU

Is it still November? NaNoWriMo = NaNoNoNo

Is it still November? NaNoWriMo = NaNoNoNo

I have a confession to make: I completely lost track of my NaNoWriMo goals due to, well, I’m going to say ‘my life’. But! I have been working on some other things, like revisions and playing about with some new stories, which I’m really enjoying. I usually post something from WIPs on twitter, so you might have seen some already, but here’s a snippet from my NaNoWriMo project. Which I’m still keeping on with! Just. Maybe not to 50k…

Read More Read More

NaNoWriMo 2017: Let’s go! Maybe?

NaNoWriMo 2017: Let’s go! Maybe?

Confession: I am wildly unprepared for NaNoWriMo this year.

But I had such good intentions! I had characters, a plot, a cover–and then I went travelling for three weeks? And moved across the country? And now it’s Halloween. And I’m also revising an MS for submission on Nov 30?

Guys, this is going to be a messy one.

cover of Note ImperfectBut even if I don’t finish this story for NaNoWriMo, I want to write it. It’s about Felix, a rock mu sic scion, and Oliver, a folk violinist, who had a strange and heady summer at 18 and have just crashed back into each other’s lives. And their past is literally haunting them.

I’ve been calling this my rock and roll ghost story since it starting lurking in my brain, and I’m really excited to start getting some of it on paper. I’m particularly excited to write it during NaNoWriMo, as the fevered pace of it tends to elicit the most random (sometimes unwise) twists and turns from my hindbrain. And, of course, the community is always amazing.

Are you playing at NaNoWriMo this year?

NaNoWriMo 2016: throwing in the towel

NaNoWriMo 2016: throwing in the towel

The time has come to admit defeat. And I was so confident at the beginning of the month! I’m disappointed, to be honest, but sometimes that’s how things go. I managed four chapters of a new story, which is enough of a base for me to continue – and there’s time yet! Ten days left in November. If I can write another 10k, I’ll be pleased. November 2016 has been a bit of a chore.

December soon. It’s a strange brain thing, but the start of the month can be a ‘refresh’ for me, renewing my resources. So that’s what I’m working toward. But November isn’t going to defeat me yet, damn it. 10k or bust!

tumblr_inline_nn7t7tasdo1r0x68m_500