Okay I know we’re already a bit into November so it’s a bit late to talk about my plans for Nano, but my organisation skills are the BOMB (okay, they suck, but whatever) As you might be able to tell I’m sort of doing Nano this year… Well I’m doing what I do most years- which is to set myself an easier target and write my little heart out 😉 . This year though, I did have a bit more of an internal wrestle over whether I should try and win Nano for reelz (spoiler alert: that’s not what I decided to do 😉 ). Here’s where my thought process was at…
Reasons to do Nano:
- What a great month to write! I mean it’s miserable out and I want to be indoors as much as possible. Plus I’m not in uni anymore so I’ve not got the excuse of deadlines as I did in previous years.
- I’ve got a ton of writing to do– so I may as well go bananas with it. I really want to finish my damn trilogy. I first conceived of this idea *7 whole years ago*. I was writing something else at that time and had lots of mishaps in between… but now I’m finally on book 3 (yay!)
- All of the lovely motivational people online!! There’s just so many great writing posts about during Nano that
I’m being totally conformist*ahem* I’m feeling inspired. - It’s very satisfying to set yourself a goal and then complete it– especially when it comes to writing!
Reasons not to do Nano:
- Buuut I edit a lot as I go (I know *shock horror*- don’t worry, I edit after as well) so 50000 words is not really doable if I’m gonna end up writing a lot of it twice.
- I’m fairly consistent with my writing, fortunately, BUT I’ve never written more than c20000 words in a month– more than that just doesn’t seem terribly doable to me.
- Plus I *never* use word count goals– they just don’t work for me- I tend to count chapters instead
- It can be completely draining to write this series– honestly, my characters do shitty things and living with the consequences of their actions can be pretty exhausting (yes, I talk about them like they’re real- I’m totally sane 😉 )
- Doing a more casual version of Nano has worked for me in the past– last year for instance I decided to edit an old novel AND I DID IT! (which brings me back to how satisfying it is to complete a goal)
So I’m compromising!
My goal is to write to chapter 28- which considering I was already at chapter 9 before the month should be both doable and a challenge (also since this is the beginning of the book, I’ve a few nice, short set up chapters that I can whizz through- don’t think I didn’t know what I was doing when I set myself this target 😉 ) Currently, I’m on 16 and to be honest right now even this target might be a little out of reach- we’ll see how this goes!
Anyhoo- are any of you participating in Nano? Do you write in general? Let me know in the comments!
I NaNo. I write all year long, but I always make sure to have something new to start in November. And so far, I’m on target. Let’s hope it stays that way.
I think your idea of setting a goal that flexes to your strength and style is smart. Rather than getting frustrated by a goal that just doesn’t work for you. Kudos on that. 20,000 words (or whatever it ends being) is a lot more than the person who decided to do nothing!
I haven’t been following your blog for a long time, so can I ask what your trilogy is about?
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Ah brilliant- I’m really impressed that you do it every year (and work the rest of the year too)- good luck!
Thank you very much!! 😊 I’m glad you like the idea and that’s very kind of you!!
hehe that’s alright, I don’t actually talk about it, cos it’s a WIP, it’s dystopic fantasy 😉
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Good luck!!!
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Thank you!!
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I don’t write myself, but my best friend does and has been participating in Nano for a couple of years now 🙂 I really do like the concept – how it brings fellow writers together and you can motivate each other. She is always really excited about it and that’s great to see!
More people writing – more good books for me 😀
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Ah that’s so cool!! Me too- I think it’s such a great idea and I know lots of people that have been inspired by it in the past 😊
hehehe yes! 😀
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Haha, I see a lot of blogs that I follow preparing for this. All I can say is good luck: but you are going to make it, no worries 😊😊
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Thank you so much!! 😊😊
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I think it’s great that you’re doing what works for you. You’re playing to your strengths and that’s the best anyone can hope for. Good luck!
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Thank you so much!! 😀 That’s really kind of you 😊
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I’m taking a break this year, but I just paid tribute to all you brave souls!😊
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Ah fair enough- that’s lovely 😊
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I am most definitely not a writer so no Nano for me.
Sounds like you have a sensible plan so best of luck.
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Ah fair enough! Thank you!
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Of course you’re totally sane. Your characters very real! You end up spending enough time with them 🙂
Wish I could have participated this year but I’ve got way too much going on.
At least all the genuine support coming out of NaNo is amazing. All the best with YOUR goals!
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haha thank you!! 😀 Glad you agree!! 😉
I totally get that- I’ve had so many years like that.
I definitely agree with you! And thank you very very much 😀 ❤
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No problem! 😉
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I’M SURE YOURE GOING TO MAKE IT ❤ WOO And good luck!! 😀
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hehehe aww thank you!!! ❤ ❤ 😀
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I don’t write but I do love seeing everyone cheer each other on. Did you graduate?? Anyway, hearing that you have a trilogy is quite awesome and I hope one day you’ll unleash your works on us public peons cause I’d be quite interested in reading anything you write. 😊
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I know right?! It’s great! hehe yes a while ago 😉 Thank you so much!! 😊
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You know how I feel about indie authors, so I love Nano Month. Because I get to read post after post of indie authors writhing in self-tortured agony. I warms my cold heart 😀
I like to write. Journalling, blogging, that type of writing. But it is a short goal. One post. 2 days of events in a journal. More than that and I burn right out. I’ve written posts pretty regularly for the last 3 weeks [18 or 19 posts in 22’ish days] and I’m feeling it this week. I’m going to be lucky to even write a review for the book I finished last week 🙂 So something like Nano would be pure torture.
Have fun writhing though! 😀
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hahahaha that sounds about right 😂😂
That’s awesome 😀 That’s fair enough- I can really relate- I’ve been pretty it pretty hard for a few weeks now and I’m feeling a burnout coming on… perhaps Nano’s not as well timed as I thought 😉
Thank you! 😀
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I think about it every year, but I tend to be someone who sets too many goals that can never be accomplished all at once. Then I feel bad about it. I have a love/hate relationship with lists and such. Writing is my one favorite thing so I don’t want to ruin it by letting my perfectionist gene take over.
Good luck to you, though!
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Ahh I can really relate to that! I was reading someone else’s post about nano being a good way to learn to meet deadlines and such, and while I could understand where they were coming from, I just thought that did make it sound less fun 😉
Thank you!
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I skipped NaNo last year, due to returning to school, and this year I’m still in school…but I decided to do it anyway. However, I haven’t gotten much accomplished. I think I’ve written…200 words? Give or take. It’s hard for me to sit down and just spit out paragraph after paragraph. I’ll get random ideas at random times so sitting and making myself write doesn’t always work for me. Hopefully I’ll find some time to just vomit some words out here and there this month… xD
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Ah I get that. When I had school I had to give it a miss- there just wasn’t any way I could do it. And I can really relate to that- I’ve had times when my word count for the day is just 50, and I’m the same when it comes to that. I think you’ve just got to do what you can. Best of luck though! Hope you manage to put some more words to the page, no matter how many that may be 😉
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NaNo honestly sounds like a wonderful dedicated month for writers to truly focus and pour their hearts onto paper, but man does it also feel like extreme pressure, stress and torture! 😛 But with your formidable writing skills and love for literature, I’m sure you’ll be able to make the most out of the event. 😉 Best of luck and hope you’ll be satisfied with the results by the end of the month!! 😀
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hahahaha that’s the perfect way to put it 😂 Aww thank you so much!! That’s really sweet of you!! Thank you!! 😀
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What’s the point in rules if you can’t bend them a little? 😀 Good luck with your book!! I’m sure you’ll reach your goal easily!
and me, I’m doing the world a favour by *not* writing fiction, and I plan to keep it that way. 😀
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teehee I know right 😉 Thank you so much!! 😀 hahahaha 😂 I’m sure that’s not true 😉
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It does feel great when you complete a goal you set for yourself! But you saw from my post that I’m not aiming for 50,000 words either, so I think there’s heaps of people like us who find it challenging to ‘win’ NaNo. GOOD LUCK!!
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Ah I know right!! Yes, I’m always glad to see I’m not alone in this and that doing a version of Nano works for so many people 🙂 Thank you!!!
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I joined NaNo this month because I wanted to, sort of, move away for a bit from a novel I was working on. So, I took up an old idea and new genre. As I write this, it’s raining heavily outside, so a perfect weather for staying cozied up and focusing on writing. I find your goal more doable and less intimidating, tbh! What’s your novel about?
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That makes a lot of sense 🙂 I think that’s a really good technique and it works for me too 😀 Ahh I love when that happens lol. Thank you!! It’s dystopic fantasy 😉
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I struggle with writing stories. Been writing poetry for years, under 100 words most of them. But ive hit a bit of a dry spell over the last couple of years.
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Good luck with your Nano tho. All the best!
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And thank you!
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That’s fair enough- I can’t write poetry to save my life, so I have the utmost respect for you 😉 Don’t worry about hitting a dry spell though- we all go through that.
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Around Oct. 25th I was determined to finish NaNo in a week. Now we’re on Day 9 and I’m at 11,000 words. And totally okay with it, since I’m also completing my edits for Volume 2 and raising children at the same time. So if I finish before Thanksgiving, I’ll be happy. I’ve been making steady progress, so that’s the main thing for me.
You’re right, if it takes too long to finish at least a revised draft, the whole project starts to feel more like a burden! And writing novels is a choice, it’s not like being a clerk at a shop purely so we can pay the bills. This is one of those occupations we’re supposed to undertake because we have passion for it!
Good luck with all your plans! 😉
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Well that sounds like loads to me!!! And yeah you have so much on your plate- I’m always amazed at how you do it all!
Yes for sure. I think also for me, if I didn’t write consistently every month, I’d be more concerned about putting all my eggs into one basket and then I think I’d want to compete for Nano properly- but since I know I can write in other months as well, and go at a more steady pace, I don’t think it’d be too wise to put myself under that amount of pressure.
Thank you!! 🙂
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You’re welcome!
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Ahah I love this thought process – I could so relate to the “reasons to do it” part here. It’s fantastic to see the writing community all together for that event, cheering each other on, having fun and telling their stories. It’s crazy and so much fun to see that, even more to be a part of it.
BEst of luck for your plans,, I hope you’ll have fun! 😀
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Thank you!! Yes I really do love that about nano- it’s so great to see that 😀
Thank you!! 😀
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I’m taking part in NaNo this year, for the first time in a couple of years, and I get what you mean because I edit as I go and I can’t get myself out of that mindset so I am pretty much writing everything twice. Still I’m determined to reach that 50K word goal! 🙂
Good luck with your goal, I hope you manage to make it to chapter 28 of your WIP. Also wow seven years of writing your trilogy is a long time, but imagine the sense of achievement you’ll feel when you finish it! 🙂
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That’s awesome!! 😀 I totally get that lol!! I’m sure you’ll do it- good luck!! 🙂 Thank you so much!! hahaha I know right- it’s just taken a lonnnng time with some parts and putting it on hold and you know life getting in the way 😉 Thank you!! 😀
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Thanks so much, and that’s all right. 😀
Yeah I completely get what you mean. I feel like my life gets in the way more often than it doesn’t. 🙂
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You’re welcome 😀
hehe so true!!
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Haha I totally understand all of this – I often only decide whether I’m doing nano or not once it’s already November. And I also often make alternate goals (eg I am trying to edit a book rather than write one now – similar to what you did last year – so word goals don’t really work for that). Next year I am tempted to write something new and finally do 50K in a month… but we’ll see. Anyway, I think you’ve got a good approach by setting personally useful and achievable goals for your writing style. And congrats on being on the third book already – impressive to have almost finished a trilogy!!
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haha I’m glad I’m not the only one with this!! Yes- that’s such a good goal for nano- and I really hope it works for you- it was actually one of the better goals I’ve had for a month cos it is doable and it’s easy to divide up. Ah that’ll be brilliant- good luck if you do decide to give that a go. Thank you so much!! haha thanks!! 😀
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That’s great! NaNo doesn’t work for everyone. I like it for some kinds of projects, but others just lend themselves to different approaches. Sounds like you know what works for you!
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Thank you!! 😀
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YOU GO!!! I hope you make it to chapter 28!! It’s so hard to just get it down on the paper so whatever helps you Orangutan ❤ I am bowing out as I don't need any more stress in my life… I have however made some humble goals to get to a certain spot by the end of the month! *crossing fingers*
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Thank you!! I know right!! Thank you so much!! Ah I can totally relate- one of the main reasons I don’t like to do it properly is that I can’t do that level of stress, but sometimes it helps to have a target. And I think that’s really great!! ❤
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I agree with word count goals. When I plan, I plot the scenes, usually in sets of 3. An optimal daily goal would be to write one set. Whatever the ending word count is is whatever it is. Luckily my books end up on the longer side, but I feel it’s a good standard for me.
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Yes I know right- I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks like that. I tend to do it by chapter and then break that down into sections (so a very similar technique to you) Yes I feel the same- fortunately they always end up being the same length- so I don’t have too much of a problem with it.
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I think it’s a physiological thing. You’re seeing numbers. 50k to go, 40k to go, oh no! But with doing scenes/sections/chapters, it’s more like, I get to write this part!
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I totally totally get what you mean and I agree!! You just feel more absorbed in the moment, rather than focusing on a target or a number of words 🙂
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I’m doing NaNo and it’s been so hard not to go back and edit. But somehow I’ve managed it and I’m going to break 20k. I’m scared by how much editing I’ll have but it’s keeping us actually writing!
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Wow that’s great- good luck!! That’s absolutely fantastic- well done!!! You can definitely power through with that word count!! 😀
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Good luck with your goal! 😀 I’m not taking part in NaNoWriMo, even though I would really love to do it. But November is one of the busiest months for me, I have so many projects and exams to do for university and would literary have no time left to write. So sadly I’m not taking part this year, but maybe next year I will have more time! 🙂
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Thank you so much! 😀 I completely understand that- when I was at uni it was the same for me- good luck with your exams and projects this year- and don’t worry, you’ll definitely get to do it in the future when you’re more free 🙂
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Thank you!! 😀
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You’re welcome 😀
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This is my first attempt at NaNoWriMo. I am behind. I got a late start. Trying to have fun with it.
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Oh good luck!! Fair enough 😀
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I like the sound of your compromise… with your skills and talent, I am sure whatever the outcome is by the end of the month it will be something you can be satisfied with…
I have so many writing ideas myself that I have bits of characters and events and settings littering my computer but I don’t think I’m cut out to be a writer… You on the other hand? You can totally smash it and I eagerly await the day when I get to read your books! 🙂
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hehe awww thank you so so much!! 😀 Oh I’m sure you would be- you just have to give it a try!! If you have the ideas you should GO FOR IT!! I’d read what you right 🙂 Aww thank you- that’s so sweet of you and really means a lot 😀 ❤
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🙂 ❤
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