Storyteller's Journey

Reflections on NaNoWriMo

After participating in the National Novel Writing Month three times, I've learned a few things that have helped me be successful. Thankfully, I was successful again; my final wordcount total was 50,074! I thoroughly enjoyed penning the first draft of my new middle grade historical fiction novel.

I first began researching the concept for my story, set in WW II France, when I saw this vintage photograph. That was years ago, and yet the idea for the story has always stuck with me. I finally spent a week last summer compiling a detailed outline for NaNoWriMo. That outline is what allowed me to keep writing; I had the ability to keep moving forward last month because I already had a three act story structure to work from.

However, now I'm ready to: take a brief break before I begin rewriting and revising; catch up on my reading; and celebrate the winter holidays at home.

Next Friday I'll announce the winners of my Rafflecopter Giveaway!

Congratulations to everyone who completed NaNoWriMo 2020!

Storyteller's Journey

My NaNoWriMo Update!

When you get in a groove of writing between 1,500-2,500 words a day, it's both gratifying and depressing. It's depressing because you wonder why you don't attain those wordcounts everyday! As of Wednesday night my total was 48,747 words; only 1,253 more to go! With four days left in November, I'm fairly confident I'll make it. Thankfully, I "put words in the bank," so I was able to take a couple of days off this week. 😀

Storyteller's Journey

My NaNoWriMo Update!

While I'm thrilled with my progress (I'm at 35,801 words), it's taken a toll on my reading, my housework, and my time in the out of doors. Thankfully, I pre-posted for this blog! 😉 It feels good to have Thanksgiving coming up next week, even though we'll be home alone this year complying with Washington State pandemic regulations. 
Wishing each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃

Storyteller's Journey

My NaNoWriMo Update!

This week went a bit easier than the last; my current wordcount is: 23,208. Since I'm hoping to take off a few days this month (including Thanksgiving), I must put the pedal to the metal! 😀While people familiar with this challenge understand the idea behind it, for those who aren't familiar with NaNoWriMo, the idea isn't so much to complete a finished novel, as it is to complete the first draft of a novel. Which is a good thing, since I'll have a lot of revising to do when this is all over!

Storyteller's Journey

Ready, Set, Write!

This November marks the third time I've participated in the National Novel Writing Month - NaNoWriMo for short. In years past, it was a mountain to climb to complete the 50,000 word writing challenge. (Thankfully, I was successful both previous times.) However, with the Covid-19 Pandemic this year, NaNoWriMo should be a bit easier. (I'm working on another middle grade novel; this one is historical fiction, set in France.)

Unfortunately, I've been a bit distracted this week with the noise from a general contractor who is remodeling one of our bathrooms. In addition to that, I'll admit that I've had one eye on the election results as well. That being said, my current total after five days is only 8105. 😀

For the next several Fridays I'll be using this blog as a way to update my NaNoWriMo progress. I'll post my word count and my thoughts about the challenge. My final update will be on Friday, 12/4/20.

Wish me luck! 

Storyteller's Journey

Reflections on NaNoWriMo

If you've been reading my NaNoWriMo updates each Friday, then you already know how I approached the 50,000 word goal within the month of November: I'd pen most of my words the first three weeks of the month and leave a very small portion left to complete after Thanksgiving. That's just what I did. On Saturday, November 30th I wrote 884 words to reach a grand total of 50,028 words. While it's barely over the finish line, I did it!

During NaNoWriMo19, I realized a few things about myself as a writer:

1- Knowing that I can meet a deadline means a lot. (Hopefully, it will mean something to an agent, editor, or publisher, in the future!)

2- While I'm pleased with my accomplishment of succeeding at NaNoWriMo, it is apparent to me, that I'd never be able to maintain such a high daily wordcount. I usually aim for about 1,000 words a day, whereas I was aiming for 2,000+ words during the novel challenge.

3- Spending regular time with my friends & family is important to me. It was difficult to say "no" so many times during NaNoWriMo.

4- Maintaining my exercise regime was also tough during NaNoWriMo.

THE BIG PLUS: I completed the first draft of a novel! No small thing. For me, NaNoWriMo is probably not an annual event. However, when I feel I need to "catch up" with my writing, it's definitely the way to go. So far I've been successful at both NaNoWriMo attempts: in 2011 & 2019.

Congratulations to all the NaNoWriMo winners!

Storyteller's Journey

My NaNoWriMo Update

When I registered for the 2019 NaNoWriMo, I knew from my past experience in 2011, that Thanksgiving week is the big hurdle just before the finish line. In fact, this week I only wrote 3065 words for a current total of 49,144 words. Knowing I had the last day of the month (tomorrow) to push over the 50,000 word goal, gave me a bit of breathing room. But after cooking our Thanksgiving dinner, & retiring after midnight, I feel like this R2D2 GIF!

Visit here on Friday, December 6th, for my NaNoWriMo Follow-up!

Storyteller's Journey

My NaNoWriMo Update

This past week I took Sunday off (to clean my house!), but I still managed to make significant progress with my word count. It's a good thing too, since my son arrived from the East Coast late last night, and I'm hosting a group of seven for Thanksgiving. As of last night my total is: 46079. I can see my destination of 50,000 words in the distance. We've got this, Wrimos! 😃

Storyteller's Journey

My NaNoWriMo Update

Since I'm looking forward to a visit from our son, Brian, next Thursday, I tried to "put a lot of words in the bank" this week. Hoping to be able to cruise just a bit during his time here, the last nine days of the month. (He lives in NYC and I haven't seen him since last Christmas, so I'm super excited!) My current word total as of last night is: 29519. Good luck, to all you Wrimos!

Storyteller's Journey

My NaNoWriMo Update

The first few days of my NaNoWriMo journey were super busy, but I knew they would be. (I didn't write at all last Saturday or Sunday!) So, on Friday, I wrote 4,325 words, and on Monday, I wrote 3,975 words, to make up for the lost days. My current total as of 11/7 - last night - is 13,669 words. One of the most difficult things about NaNoWriMo is to meet the word goal without losing your life! 😀

Good luck to all the NaNoWriMo participants out there!

Storyteller's Journey

Ready, Set, Write!

It's been eight years since I participated in NaNoWriMo. Right now I'm in the middle of writing several projects, so I thought it would be a good idea to give it a go again. However, I have four events and an out-of-town guest on my calendar this month, so I'll have to be on my toes to get in 2000+ words a day. That same goal was what enabled me to meet the 50,000 word challenge back in 2011.

By the way, for the next several Fridays I'll be using my blog as a way to update my NaNoWriMo progress. I'll mention my word count and my thoughts about the process. My final update will be on Friday, 12/6/19.

Wish me luck! Today is the first day of a very long month. 😃