Sunday, November 16, 2008

The 25,000th Word

Since I wasn't very clear in my last post on this topic, let me try again. :)

During this month, I'm participating in National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. The idea is to write a 50,000 word novel in the 30 days of November. You log your word count at the NaNo website, along with thousands of other crazy people who are trying to accomplish the same goal.

It's been really great, though. I've had the story idea cooking (with help from my brilliant husband) for a few months now. (I've been planning on doing NaNo since last... what, June?) But one of the rules is you can't write ANYTHING before November 1. The first draft of the novel is supposed to be rough, they posit. And just writing and writing and writing is a great discipline to practice.

And they are right on both counts. My first draft is quite rough around the edges and has some holes, but by jove, it's being written! I have 26,300+ words right now, making this by far the longest single thing I've ever written. And I've written something every day except for two, which has been my favorite part - and my least favorite part. It means you still have to write when you're tired, you don't feel creative, or you'd rather just veg. It's kind of thrilling to make yourself write, to see where your characters take you.... And yes, I am a nerd. :)

So my 25,000th word: "see." Although I have to say, words 23,895 and 23,903 were, quite literally, "scintillating." Ha!

(Told you I'm a nerd. I get a rush from working that word into my novel not once, but twice. Maybe I need to get out more.)

Go here to check on my progress, if you're interested (or you can look at the graph on the sidebar), and feel free to leave threatening comments on the evils that will befall me at your hand if I don't make it to 50,000 by the night of November 30.

By the way, this month has been crazy! Besides the above mentioned insanity, Jeremy has been working practically round the clock to meet some deadlines at work, which leaves the boys and I far too much time to get into trouble. And we've all had this terrible cold. Here's what happens when all those things hit at once:

5 comments:

Mrs said...

In my writing class (and I suspect Mrs. R's) "see" is a banned word! But never fear, "scintillating" isn't!

Allie said...

But if the sentence is dialogue and the quote, in part, is "Don't you want to see yourself..." then I think it would pass. :)

Phyllis said...

Just looked at your profile on that site. I don't think I've ever heard of two of your favorite authors. . . or maybe heard a vague mention? Thanks! Now I'll have something to look for the next time I get a chance.

Christopher Ryan said...

Have fun with the writing project! It sounds crazy - and fun ;) Can't wait to see the finished product!

Oh, and I think Jeremy should definitely work more quickly to keep things like that photo from "happening" to you and the boys!

Hugs to all the Brannons from Germany!

Lisa Leonard said...

hey girlie! you won a lovebird necklace!! email me. xoxo