NaNoWriMo - The Mad Dash

So... how's it going? I've been lagging behind in my NaNoWriMo Novel, and have decided to do a mad dash to the finish line. Sorry Year 7 French student, reports may not get written this year, pets - no walkies, kids - feed yourselves, bills - the cheque will be in the mail next week, Tim - do I 'look' like I'm in the mood? (Okay, maybe the French reports still have to go out, but the rest can wait)

This week is for words, words and then some words. Fail is not an option. Of course, I wouldn't feel like I failed, even if I stopped now - I'd have almost 30,000 words for my supernatural thriller. My biggest problem, if this novel doesn't have the words 'The End' typed by the finish of NaNoWriMo, is Dec 1. Come that unofficial date, I know my brain will go into a self-induced coma and refuse to budge.

It's going to be a big week for my protagonist Dusty, she now knows who the killer is but has to discover his secret stash of drugs he intended smuggling, locate another dead body, save the remaining  coworkers from certain death, convince the good guy she's worth a go and learn the killer had a partner. 

Do you work better under pressure?

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10 Motivators to Keep Writing for NaNoWriMo

I like to move it, movie it...

Well I told myself to slow down. My NaNo novel came to a bit of a halt last week. I just decided to give myself a day off, or maybe three, I'd reward myself with words later. Turns out, I'm a bit stingy with my rewards. This week I will have to work hard to push those numbers up again. I did get a few words in on Sunday, and I didn't let myself waste my time off.

To keep the flow and motivation of writing when I just can't get to the keyboard or pick up the flow of my story, I like to:

1. Write something else about my character in my notebook, like a diary entry. This can help me gain some insight to her deeper motivation.
2. Watch youtube clips and listen to podcasts on the craft of writing - there's so many good one's out there!
3. Watch a flick or shows in my genre - in my case it's mystery, so I sat through a few good episodes of Castle.
4. Go to the movies. You watch a creative story unfold and you're in a new environment, away from home.
5. Take walks. My imagination goes into overdrive when I walk the dog. It must be because I can't talk to anyone, my mouth shuts up and gives my brain a go.
6. Start recording my dreams, even the silly one.
7. READ. I read books on writing, and look for the element I'm struggling with, like dialogue or structure. I'll also read something similar to my writing style - I try to read things that are simple and don't take too much thinking.
8. Draw. I doodle, 'cause I'm not much of an artist, but drawing loosens my mind and lets me be creative.
9. Listen to Audio books. Sometimes I don't write because I'm exhausted or unwell, at these times I find it hard to read as well, so, I pop on a Charlaine Harris audio book and listen to the story unwind.
10. I listen to Relaxation and Meditation books on my iPhone right before bed.

Is your story flowing or trickling? Do you keep pounding on, or step away?

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NaNoWriMo - What's the Rush?

Slow down, enjoy the view.

Day 9 of NaNoWriMo - and hasn't the time been flying? My first week went well, with my little fingers flicking across the keyboard every spare moment I got. Then, I lost something - the spare moments. Not to worry, I made myself type some words before bed, even when I didn't feel like it.

My problem? In my rush, I've found I've also been rushing my story. I'm pushing my protagonist along in this supernatural mystery/thriller, saying 'come on, get to the next clue, this is NaNoWriMo you know, we don't have time to dawdle!' Dusty has reluctantly obliged (sometimes she shoots me dirty looks, because really, I think she can't be stuffed being the main character and wishes I'd given it to someone else - ungrateful little ....).  At not even the half way mark, we've had most of the murders (I might be able to squeeze one or two more in *evil chuckle*). Dusty has identified the bad guy and he is currently safely tied up, leaving her with the dreamy good guy.

My solution? Slow down. Tell Dusty to take her time, notice the scenery, maybe have a cuppa and think this thing through. Has she really got the bad guy tied up? What if she got that all wrong? That would leave her all alone (except for a couple more would-be victims) with... the killer. And the only guy who would defend her? Well, he's tied up now, so smart move there Dusty.

How's your novel going? Are you taking the time to breathe, to let your protagonist breathe?

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NaNoWriMo Death = Words

Day 6 of NaNoWriMo and the plot thickens - or does it?

I went into this NaNo novel with a vague plot idea and premise, I'd have a palaeontologist with a mystical gift of seeing how a creature died when she touches its remains. All fine and good until she comes across a human body, that everyone else thinks died in an accident. She can't say she 'saw' the murder without sounding like a loon, so she'll have to prove it before becoming the next victim.

First few days went great. I knew where to start - in the action. I start with an explosion and my protagonist finding a body (okay, if you've read my posts you'll know I actually started with two characters discussing the weather for three pages, but I got there eventually). Great, Dusty now has to find some evidence to prove the victim's death was the result of foul-play. Then she got a little distracted by a handsome Italian volunteer and, well, let's just say the novel jumped an age audience.

So now what? I wasn't sure. I decided to let Dusty work it out and I just followed her around and wrote her choices. At first she was lame and hid in her tent. But eventually she started suspecting people and making a few bad choices allowing the killer free time to go... kill. I now have two dead bodies and two missing girls. I've added some flooded roads to stop anyone else from getting in or out of our site (plus, of course, someone tampered with the radio, so there's no contact out).

The body count has given me more things to write about, suspicions, theories, grief, fear, etc. So if you get stuck do you think you'll bump someone off? Or maybe throw in a romantic Italian guy?

I've got the family away this weekend, so, I'm trying to bump up my word count after missing a whole day yesterday (I'm a little snowed under planning these new French classes for my students - and trying to learn French to stay one lesson ahead of them). How's your NaNo going?

NaNo on!

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Judging a NaNo Novel by its Cover

I'm not much of a graphic artist. My 12yr. old (Emily) had to show me how to use photoshop. But how could I resist trying to make a book cover for my NaNoWriMo novel? I know, 50,000 words to get in one month and I start procrastinating with pictures.

Do you try to make up covers for your novels?

I tried to do a few for Dog Show Detective and didn't end up satisfied with any. I think I'd go with a cartoon picture, but I can't mock that up because my drawing skills would result in a picture of a stick-dog. Here's what I came up with, using a photo of Emily and Schroeder playing the parts of Kitty and Spade:

Are you going to do a book cover for your NaNoWriMo novel? Put it up on your blog so we can all have a look - pleeease!

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NaNoWriMo Life Prompts

Cartoon from InkyGirl.com

Day two of NaNoWriMo and all is well. I've passed the 5,000 word mark (10% of the way there!). My story is starting to take shape, I've not plotted it out thoroughly, I only know there is a murder and a reason and the 'who it is' might surprise me. You can buddy me at charmaineclancy.

I was worried I'd struggle with NaNoWriMo this year, because I've been working full-time as a substitute teacher, at the moment I'm an Art Teacher (it's such a beautifully creative environment, I feel inspired to write!). We've had a few issues at my school because the new French teacher was not getting a good response from the kids and has decided that subject is not for her, so, until we get a new French teacher, I will be taking those classes too. Great, except, I don't speak French. I've downloaded an audiobook and I'm cramming in the language so I can teach the kids (I only have to stay one lesson ahead).

What does this have to do with NaNoWriMo? I was listening to my French tape while typing and decided to abruptly change a character's nationality to French. Secondary character Alisha is now Francine. So what do you do if you change your mind about something big in your novel?

Well, you DON'T go back and change it! Just type on as if Alisha were always Francine. I typed one line in capitals:

ALISHA IS NOW FRENCH AND LET'S CALL HER FRANCINE.

I'll find it in the edits and fix the inconsistencies.

So if you get stuck for ideas, just look around and steal the first thing you see! NaNo on!

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