Today, I am celebrating 100+ followers with the NaNoWriMo Tag! Seemed fitting enough, it being National Novel Writing Month and all. Thank you to each and every one of you who follows this blog. I greatly appreciate your support. So, here it is, the NaNoWriMo tag!

1. How many years have you participated in NaNo?

This will be my second year participating in National Novel Writing Month. Last year was a rewarding experience, and I learned a lot about myself as a writer. Writing during the NaNoWriMo event has given me the push of motivation to write my novel.

2. Are you a planner, pantser, or plantser?

Most of my story and characters are planned out ahead of time. However, I do have some wiggle room to add scenes I didn’t initially plan for. Nothing is set in stone. During the writing process, things change, and that’s just fine. So, I’m like 80% a planner, and 20% pantser.

3. If you are a planner/plantser, what are the first story elements that you flesh out?

Because I am writing a mystery novel, one of the first things I have to consider is the case itself. What is the central mystery pulling everyone together? Is it a murder? A disappearance? So I need, at least, a vague idea of what mystery is being solved here.

Typically, I develop my characters first too. For me, characters drive the overall story. Like playing the Sims. I like to come up with the cast of multi layered characters and let them loose into the fictional world.

4. NaNo Forums? Do you use them?

No I don’t. Maybe I should…?

5. Writing Buddies? Do you prefer to write socially or alone?

I’m a firm believer that writers should support other writers. It’s the reason behind this blog. When I’m actually fiction writing, I usually write by myself. Actually, I have a hard time writing when someone’s peering over my shoulder. Puts too much pressure on me.

I like to think using the Lady Jabberwocky blog helps me connect with other writers.

6. Do you diligently write 1,667 words a day, or do you write in spurts?

At the moment, I’m writing in spurts. Some days, it’s a couple hundred words, other days it’s a little over 1,000. Despite being way behind word count wise, I am still trying to write every day, even if it’s only a little bit. Balancing work writing and fiction writing has been difficult, but I am determined to keep writing daily and to reach the 50,000 word goal.

7. Do you have a writing totem?

Not sure if it counts, but I have a photo book of pictures of Brooklyn in the 1920s. Looking at historical photos helps me connect to the setting I’m writing about. Also, my boyfriend thinks I need my hair in a messy bun to write. Which is true. Maybe that’s my writing totem too.

8. Do you go to kick-off, write-in, or wrap-up parties?

I’ve never been to one, no. But I have considered going to a write-in, if it was close to where I live. Events like that sound like fun.

9. When writing, are you an analog (handwritten) or digital writer? Does the same apply to when you’re taking notes or brainstorming?

I am a digital writer, I write solely on my laptop. In terms of notes, I have sticky notes posted around my room, when I want to quickly jot down ideas . However, I do have some notes on my computer too. But mostly, I stick to post-it notes for brainstorming. My wall is starting to look like something out of a crime movie, all I need is the red string and newspaper clippings. “It all makes sense! Everything is connected!”

10. Share your NaNo username (if you feel comfortable doing so) so that others can connect with you on the NaNo site!

You can find me at LadyJabberwocky on the NaNo website. Feel free to add me as a writing buddy, if you like.

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I just want to thank you guys again for all your support. I never thought I’d hit 10 followers, let alone 100. Truly, I appreciate every follow and comment. You lovely people inspire me everyday to keep writing.

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Write with Heart,

Lady Jabberwocky