Wednesday, November 13, 2013

NaNoWriMo...Specifically

I've started NaNoWriMo a few times before, but never got further than around 5000 words. This year, I'm still behind, but I've written 14,046 words. If I write just under 2000 words a day, I can finish on time.

But do I still want to?
This is the thirteenth day of the month. I think I've written something on this NaNo project on 11 of those days. But so far, I've only enjoyed two writing days -- the first day, when I got to write my new beginning, set up my inciting incident and unveil it, and today, when I pretended I had written nothing else since then.

You see, I am totally sure that just about everything I've written between November 2 and today is pure, unusable crap.

And I'm okay with that.

I'm okay with using NaNo as a writing exercise. I'm okay with never looking at it again. I'm okay with deleting the file. That is correct -- I could delete all 50,000 words (assuming I finish) and never regret it. I've killed my darlings before. I'm prepared to slaughter these.

I still love my idea. And despite my crappy writing, I'm getting to know more about my characters. And the scene I wrote this morning, where my MC stared at the pink smudge of nail polish on the dashboard and remembered her sister's pedi on the drive to the beach -- that told me I was getting to know them. That was specific. I love specific.

So from now on, I'm forgetting about writing as I usually do, one chapter after another. I plan to pick a moment in time on my MC's journey and write it. And I plan to be specific about at least one thing.

And when I'm done with NaNo, I'll compile those specific things into a bible, and then I'll start all over again. I won't care about those 50,000 words, but I'll make sure they weren't a waste of time. I'll make sure I dig for specifics.

10 comments:

  1. The funny thing about writing unusable pages it that I can never do it knowingly. That is- at the time I am writing the work has to seem worthy to me. Of course a lot of it turns out to not be so with a bit (or a lot) of distance.
    Brava for braving this.

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    1. Mirka, I think part of my NaNo problem is being too literal about just writing away -- getting all those words down. I often write 2000 words in one sitting and am happy with what I accomplish. The difference is, I am more thoughtful about what I write. I write a paragraph and think about it -- tinker with it -- figure out what should come next before I write again. With NaNo, I am just writing without thinking.

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  2. As the (randomly chosen) winner of Nathan Bransford's recent contest, Lela Gwenn, said "Write. Write poorly, but WRITE."
    If those little specifics last, then it will be worth it?

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    1. I've written my share of eventually deleted words. I hope the specific one stick.

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  3. I've never "won" Nano, and the thought of being a slave to word count kind of gives me hives. But...

    Grayson Barrett was 'born' during NanoWrimo. He had a different name, and a slightly different set of circumstances - I'd been writing a sequel to a novel that never sold. But there was something about this character that stayed with me. I'm a firm believer of a writing compost pile of sorts. And yes, it's a great way to get to know your characters!! Love what you've learned already, sounds like a good one!!

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    1. So happy birthday to Grayson! I'm officially inspired!

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    2. I remember being a slave to word count when I was an editor. That was hard enough!

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    3. Yes, I was thinking that in, say, a pile of "crap" 50 pages written during NANO, maybe there is a character or plot point that winds up being used somewhere else. As you did, Robin. I'll have to look up the "compost" term again - I think I saw it in one of Natalie Goldberg's books.

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  4. I wasn't able to make it through Nanowrimo last year with 50,000 words, but it did spark ideas. I think of it like practice. You have to practice almost anything to get better, and even if you don't think you're getting better, you usually are. Good luck.

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    1. Yup -- agreed. But I need to add thought to the rush for words. Too many tangents leading nowhere.

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