I'm Bethany and I'm delighted to be a part of MWVRWA. I write contemporary romance and YA. I finished my first manuscript about a year and a half ago and I'm nearing the finish line on my second. One of the neatest parts of the writing journey is how it introduces you to other writers and the writing community. Last year, I undertook NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month where you pledge to write 50,000 words in one month. I wrote about 30,000 words on my second manuscript during last November. I didn't make it to 50,000, but this year I'm re-evaluating what I want out of NaNoWriMo and re-committing to the process.
Why pledge to write 50,000 words in one month? The answer lies in knowing yourself as a writer. I write in fits and starts and starting is my greatest challenge. If I leave something too long, the procrastination devil takes over and I find it nearly impossible to get my momentum back. Committing to a month of intensive writing means little to no time off, and the procrastination devil doesn't have a chance to take hold.
Others may not have to battle quite so intensely with the procrastination devil, but may instead fight the battle of the dreaded white space daily. NaNoWriMo doesn't let you sit and stare into the white obilvion. Many writers find the process intensely freeing as they "just write" without limitations or restrictions, writing without editing or self-censoring. Many writers who consider themselves "pantsers" (otherwise known as those who hate to plot) love the process because it allows them to write in the most free-form method possible. (See No Plot, No Problem for more ideas) These writers accept the process and their end goal is simply to get words on paper during NaNoWriMo.
While I see the benefit in this free-flowing writing, I have come to accept that I am an absolute die-hard plotter. A year ago, I knew this, but I didn't embrace it fully and I think this contributed to my running out of steam. In Feb., I went to the story board retreat our chapter held, and discovered a new way to approach plotting thanks to Karen Duvall's great tutelage. (For more on this process, check out the workshops/materials by the Queens of Story Magic) For a plotter, the battle is waged in preparation. While the writing begins on November 1st, the plotting needs to begin far sooner.
My preparation thus far has consisted of first picking the idea I wanted to develop (I keep an idea file in my journals for future stories). Next, I brainstormed possible story arcs. Then, I "interviewed" my characters using a technique picked up at another RWA meeting. This allowed me to further flesh out my story arc notes. As part of the character interviews, I used the technique Karen taught us for fleshing out the hero and heroine's goals, character flaws, black moments, and barriers to a relationship. I used these charts to do the story board, using post-it notes for each POV. Now, what I am doing is transforming my story board, which is mass of sticky brain dumping into an easy to use outline. This way, on Nov. 1st, I can follow my outline and move quickly.
A big bonus to using an outline to achieve a set word count goal like NaNoWriMo is that you have writer's block insurance. You know what is coming next. You know your characters and can anticipate their reactions. Further, if a particular scene is bogging you down, you can simply skip further down your outline to a scene that speaks to you more, then return to the problem scene later.
Whether you are a plotter or a pantser, NaNoWriMo is uniquely suited to romance writers. Even if you sit down with nothing more than a single sentence in mind: Woman travels to Europe for first time and meets mysterious ex-pat or Victorian Duke finds himself in American frontier town, you know the driving force of your story: Two people fall in love and overcome an obstacle to achieve their happy ending. Knowing this major story arc, writers can use the NaNoWriMo process to get the main story down on paper, then spend the revision process adding in details, doing necessary research, layering in subplots. Knowing WHAT you are writing is a huge part of the battle to conquer all that white space, and if you know that you are writing a romance, you have already passed the first hurdle.
Now, who's up for the next hurdle? Who's willing to commit to NaNoWriMo? If you hate the idea of NaNoWriMo, why? Are you a plotter or a pantser?
9 comments:
I'm doing NaNo! Woohoo! I'm a die hard plotter too. But I don't know that I'm starting something new for it, I guess I'm a rule breaker. I really need to finish what I'm working on and 50k will get me there. We'll have to cheer each other on :-)
Great post!
Grumble, grumble. Lisa's been talking about this nonstop for the past week.
I don't know. The not editing part scares the begeezus out of me. I'm an edit-as-I-go type writer like Alice. I don't know that I'd have any eyebrows left if I signed on for NaNo.
Great blog, Bethany.
I am a plotter-panster. I know I have to plot a book and since I sell on a synopsis (or less, gulp) I know where I'm going. Since I don't lay aside projects, this method isn't for me. But if, like you said, you can't get your head to leave you alone so you can make forward progress (Lisa, can you hear me?) this can be dynamite.
Hey, who knew, blogging can be fun and informational!
ROFL, Alice. We've hooked you. As my DH says, "Fish on."
Lisa--I'll totally be cheering you on. But, there is something totally freeing about starting a new WIP, especially when (like me) you've been mired in the same WIP for the last year. NaNo is like a little get out of jail card that says, just this once, you can set aside the WIP and start another. :) And Alice, welcome to the dark side :)
I'm a planster! Plot a little to begin with and then go for it!
You ladies who do NANO have fun! I have enough things on my plate right now to keep me busy!
Piper--they have a special Kid's section on the NaNo site if you haven't seen it already. I think having a smaller target word goal is fine too--like writing 10,000 words in a month without editing, just making your word count. And yay! Your DD wants to write too! That is awesome!
Good luck all you NaNos!
I think I might be ready ... I'm way beyond plotter ... I find it hard to start writing until I KNOW exactly what's going to happen ... though of course the characters end up doing what they want to do anyway.
But I've been defining this novel for a year now, and I finally think I know who my characters are and what the skeleton is ... and here it is late October.
So how many words? 50,000 / 30 days ... wow that's a lot!
Post a Comment