1.15.2016

On winning NaNoWriMo 2015



First of all: Woot!

I hadn't been planning to do National Novel Writing Month this past year, but Tree of Write On, Mom! asked if I was going to, and so I did.

I am very suggestible.

The idea popped into my head that I could use the opportunity to do something I'd been meaning to, which was write the second book in my mystery series. And so I did! And now I feel so much better!

It's still a crappy first draft, because I'm working on finishing up editing the first one right now instead of fixing the second, but it's nice to have the story written and sitting there ready to edit. I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.

It makes me think I should write a novel every other month or so. Maybe every three months, with two off to edit? (This isn't going to happen, but apparently it could!)

I found it slightly easier this time around to juggle NaNo-ing with home life (parenting and homeschooling three little ones) and other obligations, though I have to admit my housework slipped. I love letting my housework slip, so this is no burden. I also didn't have much in the way of self-care that month, particularly the long walks I love to take. Something has to give, I suppose. I tried to think of a way to dictate my writing into my phone as I walked, but I couldn't figure out the technology necessary so gave it up.

One thing I realized while writing the second draft is that I am as crap at keeping track of names and details as I thought I was. I kept filling in people's names as "Mrs. Blank" and places as "X, Illinois." So now I am doing a belated task: making character and setting sheets for my series. It's boring but necessary.

But the novel writing itself in NaNo was satisfying, and a gift I should give myself more often. It always feels so good to get creative and write.

What projects are you working on right now?

 

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