Tuesday 5 November 2013

Well it's NaNoWriMo Day 5 already - I think I'm slipping into the groove!

Today is a project management day, so I'll have to wait to be able to write, but I did manage nearly 1600 words yesterday (which was another PM day) I was only 100 short, so I hope I'll be able to do the same this evening.

The novel I've chosen to write is a rewrite and then an extension of a novella that has proved to be my most popular download (admittedly, it's free), so the first few days were fairly easy, because I had a very firm idea in my head from the original story that just had to be worked on. Sunday and yesterday, I began work on extra scenes that weren't in the original, pieces of character development that I could get away with leaving out in a shorter work, but that need to go in the prepare the way for the novel. And boy did Sunday show me I wasn't in the full writing groove yet.

I got stuck at just 700 words on Sunday, one short scene that I wasn't even happy with then. However, I woke up yesterday with a better idea of what I wanted to achieve in the intermediate scenes and that really helped, because I knew what the hook was, where I was going and, even working a full day, I managed to almost make my quota. So, I am slowly slipping into the groove of the story again, beginning to understand my characters and know where I want to take them.

I'm happier now, because I know I'm not just relying on the old prose to prop me up, I'm developing the story in a new way, and, although some of it is close to the original, it's being combined with new angles and ideas that will take the story beyond the novella.

So, now to work (and not writing, I'm afraid), but I have a new character and another additional scene to work on in my  head during any pauses in my day. I'm even considering shifting the timeline a day to slow the pace, but I'm not sure, it might not be necessary - only today's ruminations will tell!

Have fun with your stuff today fellow NaNoers!


4 comments:

  1. I, too, got stuck at about 700 words yesterday; went back to fix things around...

    Geez! I just saw your count, and shivered! Better get to writing, if I want to catch up ;-)

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    1. I know folks say 'don't go back and fiddle, just write' and I don't know about you, but I find that sometimes, if you feel in your gut that a scene is just not right, it is good to go back and fiddle, because it helps the following scenes to flow properly.

      I gave it a big push at the start, because I knew there were going to be days when I didn't make my quota and I get stressed if I don't have a buffer. :)

      Your total's nothing to sniff at ;P, looks good and steady - good luck and have fun!

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  2. Great post. I'm so glad I found you via Google. I haven't done NanaWriteMo before, but I have 10 very short, rough draft, chapters down so I'm thinking I'll join! Thanks for the inspiration! Hang in and hang on. You can do it!

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    1. Thanks for the reply and the encouragement :)

      Do join, the group atmosphere is fantastic in NaNoWriMo.

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