Sunday, November 1, 2009

Oh Dear, Oh Dear, Oh Dear!

It's November 1, the first day of National Novel Writing Month, and the first day of National Blog Posting Month. Oh dear, what have I got myself into?

I had meant to have had my first post written quite early this morning, and I was planning on writing the first 1600 words of my November Novel (which I'm calling "Nov Nov" {get it?... get it?!} as a working title, since it doesn't have a title yet) well before this evening, but I still had the remnants this morning of a two-day headache. Only in the past hour has it subsided enough to think, let alone write.

And as for this blog post, I have no idea what to write about!

Oh, wait, yes I do. Or at least I know one thing I want to write about. In the welcome email from NaNoWriMo there were three bits of advice that I thought were very well done, so I'm going to share them here. The first one told us that it is okay to not know what we're doing: "Write every day, and a book-worthy story will appear even if you're not sure what that story might be right now."

The second bit of advice is worth completely quoting here: "Do not edit as you go. Editing is for December. Think of November as an experiment in pure output. Even it it's hard at first, leave ugly prose and poorly written passages on the page to be cleaned up later. Your inner editor will be very grumpy about this, but your inner editor is a nitpicky jerk who foolishly believes that it is possible to write a brilliant first draft if you write it slowly enough. It isn't. Every book you've ever loved started out as a beautifully flawed first draft. In November, embrace imperfection and see where it takes you." I would like to know how they know my inner editor so well!

And their third piece of advice is to tell everyone you know that you're writing a novel in November because "This will pay big dividends in Week Two, when the only thing keeping you from quitting is the fear of looking pathetic in front of all the people who've had to hear about your novel for the past month. . . The looming specter of personal humiliation is a very reliable muse."

There was an addendum to #3, and that was that though there will be times we'll want to quit we must stick it out and see it through. "Week Two can be hard. Week Three is much better. Week Four will make you want to yodel. And we're talking the good kind of yodeling here."

Cool, huh?

Martha is participating in NaBlo this month, and Mara is participating in NaNo, so I have some old J-Land friends to keep me company -- and it's good company at that! So please drop by to give them some support and encouragement.

Well, gotta go for now. Nov-Nov is waiting for me!

P.S. Just found out that Betty and Rose are participating in NaBlo too, so please stop by and check out their posts this month.

15 comments:

Gerry said...

I applaud this effort and I learned to just write when it comes to the first draft. Sorry I can't join you, but I will keep tabs on you! Gerry

Ken Riches said...

Good luck :o)

Anonymous said...

I have missed reading your blog and hearing about the family and the goings on in your life...gonna check out a couple of those books you recommended!!! and yes...I have a feeling that this winter will provide "good reading time"...alot!!!! hugs to ya from Ora in Lexington

Swampy said...

I admire your commitment. If I signed up, I would have to be committed.
It's already dark here...I thought it was still about noon...well, when it gets dark at this house, this witch goes to bed.

Unknown said...

Your site was recomended by a couple of blogger friends we have mutually. I came...I saw...I camped out!

From what I've seen, your going to do just fine with NNWM & NBPM! You're interesting, you're thought provoking & all together refreshing...Oh and I like your sense of humor! You're going to do just fine! I'm looking forward to reading more of your entrys. You have a new Fan...Good luck & get going girl!... You can do this! ...
Wink-wink & a big thumbs up!...Kittie

Lisa said...

You are going to be a busy lady this month! I hope you lose the headache for good soon.

betty said...

I like that they say to write and not worry about editing; I'd be thinking about editing; should be interesting to see what you decide to write this month; added myself as a follower to follow along with what you write

thanks for the shout out :)

betty

Martha said...

So glad you are participating in Nablo, My daughter is doing the other and begged me to participate too but I just don't have it in me. Nablo is perfect for me and will still be quite a challenge with everything I've been juggling these days! It sure will be nice to reconnect with you over the month :-)

Rose said...

I truly love the fact that we old J-land folks are still around writing! And this year especially I appreciate the comfort of old friends! here's to a great journal month!

Lori said...

To Kittytrick:
Thanks so much for your wonderful comment. I really appreciate it! I can't reach you by email but would like to, and if you have a blog I would like to return the favor of a visit.

Traci said...

Good luck. I'm doing well to read once a day something other than this computer! I'm wanting to get a quiet time in every day.

LYN said...

GOOD LUCK!! I REMEMBER WHEN I USED TO WRITE AT LEAST EVERY OTHER DAY...NOT SO MUCH ANYMORE...DARN FACEBOOK ...;-)

Connie said...

You sure are energetic. I know you'll do great!!!

Missie said...

I can't believe it's November already! LOL

Have a good week.

MammawsDecorativeArt said...

Thank you for letting us all know. Your sense of humor just shines through and I truly enjoy you. I've missed blogging anyway so this is a great excuse to start back again. I gave you a shout out on my journal. I think with the cold weather settling in, I'm going to finish that novel before the new year comes in. I hope.