Hello Writer Bees!
National Novel Writing Month is almost here! What are my plans for November? Am I going for the 50K word count goal? Spoiler alert; No, No I am not. However, if you want to know my goals for this month, then keep reading to find out.
Meet My Forever Work-In-Progress
If you are a frequent reader of this blog, you probably already know about my WIP. I’ve even shared an excerpt of intro. For the new readers, welcome to my train wreck. Currently, I’m writing a 1920’s murder mystery set in Coney Island, New York. The plot follows Detective Barnaby and his assistant Oscar, the narrator, as they investigate the murder of a sideshow mermaid. It’s been a few years in the making. And it’s what I’ll be working on this month, like every other month.
Mostly Editing
Editing will be my main focus for NaNoWriMo. Smoothing out the rough edges. Reworking scenes. Maybe even rearrange scenes. Adding details and weeding out the unnecessary, when needed. A red pen will be glued to my hand for a month. I’d hope to have a finished piece at the end, if I’m lucky. I say this with hesitancy, but I think I’m heading towards the final drafts on my mystery WIP. Since I’ve been working on it so long, finally finishing sounds surreal. I might try to add 5,000 words to the wordcount, but overall, I’ll be mostly editing and revising my WIP. National Novel Editing Month anyone?
If you’ll be editing your work too, let me know!
The “Crater”
I’m being totally honestly here. Recently, I’ve had some writer’s block. There’s this gap in the story, an empty parking lot lot. A small section between the middle and the ending. It’s the part leading up to the finale. Right now, it’s pretty blank and it’s bothered me to no end. I lovingly call it “the crater”, cause it feels like a big empty hole or a missing puzzle piece. I’ve been struggling with what should fill the space. For NaNoWriMo, I’m going to experiment with my writing and be creative. I’m going to listen to my own writer’s block advice. I’m going to not be hard on myself, because all writers – great and small – get writer’s block.
Support Others
One of my biggest goals in life is to help other writers. During NaNoWriMo, I’m hoping to be more active on Twitter. Giving support to others participating in the event. Cheering them on. Promoting fellow writers and bloggers. Lending a hand to those who need aid in their creative endeavors. Being a shoulder when writing gets tough, because writing can be tough. That’s how I want to celebrate NaNoWriMo. So, if you’re looking for writing advice or positive vibes, I’m right here. I’m not going anyway. The writing community must stick together.
What are your plans for NaNoWriMo? Talk to me in the comments! Good luck to everyone participating.
Stay safe and stay creative.
Write with heart,
Lady Jabberwocky
Lady Jabberwocky 
I am finally doing NaNoWriMo this year! My first time haha the novel I’ll be working is recreating my short story series New Life, which I posted three parts of on my blog before deciding I could turn it into a book and now I’m going to try just that in November! While also editing and changing the parts I’ve posted here, they’re not what I want for a book since the idea for New Life was to just be the one short story…Boy, was I good at sticking to that plan haha
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Good luck with your first NaNo go! And don’t worry about sticking to a plan. Enjoy the journey! 🙂
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Thank you! 😊
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What are my plans for NANOWRIMO? I have no idea. Actually, I am torn between completing the current mystery I am writing, rewriting/editing another, or trying my hand at a Sci-Fi piece. Good luck to you!
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Whatever you choose to work on, I wish you the best of luck!
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This is my plan for Nano too! I finished a draft last year for nano and haven’t been able to edit it, so that’s my focus. We got this!
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I’m going to try NaNo this year. I’ve never tried it before, so we’ll see what happens. (Wish me luck!) I know how important rewriting can be, so I hope that yours goes well. -Susan
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Good luck, Susan! 😀
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Editing is SOOO much harder than writing in my opinion. I can generate words all day. But do they make sense to another reader? Not always. I’ve been so fortunate to have the help of an external editor who is helping me. Best of luck on NaNoEditO! 🙂
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Yeah. In these first couple days of NaNoWriMo – or NaNoEditO in my case – I’m realizing editing is harder than I thought. Sending you positive writing vibes for all your creative endeavors! ❤
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You as well!
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Editing is what I did last year. I ended up writing more by editing than if I’d just done the challenge with a blank page. LOL! You know how it is with Nano. This year, I’m doing a bit of pantzing and rebelling, I suppose. I’ve got a WIP that has about 6k to it that I’d like to add a few thousand words too. I’ve written myself a bit into a corner with it and am having to backstep a few pages and see where it is that I entered that dark alley (maybe literally as there is one in that chapter. LOL.) So that’s me rebelling a little. That said, I’m at a point in that WIP where I could honestly call whatever I write now as “Pantzing”. I tend to write my final climatic scene first, then go back to write what leads up to that moment. That method has always been my “goto” when crunched for time. In the meantime, it is the holiday season and I have many projects to complete for the giving season. Happy Nano, and Many Good Writes! ~ Bear, nano: Tynder McFry
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Wow, your writing method is super interesting. Never thought to start at a climatic scene first. Cool! Thanks so much for sharing. Happy NaNoWriMo to you too, Bear!
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Thanks! Actually, that advice came from Stephen King way back when he did a session for Young Authors. I tried it, and it worked for me! YEAH! I’m happy to say that I just broke 30K for Nano!
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I was tempted to do this but then decided to start with a new project. Editing takes forever while writing is faster 🙂
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My goals for NaNoWriMo21 are to get my newest novel in editor-ready mode. 65,000 words written so far, but a lot to tie down. Also, I’m helping two fellas write their memoir, so November, it will be ready and on Amazon. I decided to think in terms of words written, but also figure in hours spent at the keyboard.
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Sounds like you’ll be busy this month. Good luck with all your creative work! Sending good editing vibes to you!
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