The NaNoWriMo Blog Meme

I love answering questions, which probably means I love doing blog meme’s, which is why I am doing this one. Well, that and the fact that I’m a NaNoWriMo addict. If you don’t know what that is, you are obviously new to my blog. LOL You can go find out more if you want. What is NaNoWriMo?

Now, back to your regularly scheduled blog post.

If you decide to participate in this meme on your blog, myspace or facebook, don’t forget to link back to the original creator of the meme and leave a comment on his post (he’s compiling a list of the answers!)

NaNoWriMo Q&A In preparation for National Novel Writing Month next November, I thought it would be fun to look back at previous NaNo’s and answer some questions about how I take part in the event.

These questions or this meme as you might call it is totally meant for people to use on their own blogs, Livejournals, Facebooks etc. Leave links in the comments section and I might compile a list.

Double points if you post a photo with your answers in some NaNoWriFic action shot like I have so awesomely done.

When and how did you find out about NaNoWriMo? How did you go?
I found out about it in 2001 or 2002 in one of my writers communities/groups – I think it was mentioned by someone and then I saw it again on one of the writer’s blogs, so I read about it. It was the beginning of October, so I came to the site and signed up and then forgot about it and didn’t participate that year, I think maybe even the next year. So when 2003 rolled around, someone mentioned it to me again, so I tried again. I gave up two days into it. In 2004, 2005 and 2006 I participated, winning only one year.

When 2007 rolled around, I couldn’t get my password and user name to work on the site. (after losing my account back in 2004 thanks to some freak out by the servers not archiving correctly or something) No matter what I did and no matter how many times I tried to contact them, there was just no figuring it all out. So, I registered a new name, and got a new password in 2007 and have been pretty active ever since.

How many times have you done NaNoWriMo?
NaNoWriMo 2009 is my 6th official year at NaNo. I’ve won every year since 2006.

How many times have you won? If you haven’t won, what was your best result?
I’ve won three times, this year will be my fourth (yes I’m going in with a positive attitude). The reasons for not winning other years was explained above.

Want to join up on the site?

Add me here.

How did you go last year?

Well, I started out strong. I had a great plot idea, characters I loved and I was really excited. I wrote like a mad woman for the first week or so. In fact, I churned out well over the 1667 required daily words. I was happy, excited and very positive. Until I went to bed one night and dreamed up a whole new plot idea, two new characters and an inability to enter it anywhere into the current story.
So what did I do? Like any good author, I attempted to write it all down so I wouldn’t forget and would come back later to work on it.

What happened then? I would up writing that story and never again returned to the original idea which is still sitting in a file, desperately wanting to be fleshed and worked on. I’ll get back there someday.

It still went well and I finished with over 50,000 words on the second book. The other book I had wound up writing roughly around 25,000 words for. I did not include that in the total for the month.

I am hoping this year, that no dreams come and haunt my plans. I’m eager to get started, but don’t want new plot ideas invading my time.

Where do you write and with what do you write?

Well, for past novels, I have used a laptop, because I do my best writing when I am able to move around and get out of the house, etc. Last year, the screen of my laptop went out a couple of weeks before NaNo, so I was stuck at a desk with it connected to the monitor. Didn’t so much enjoy that and felt stifled somewhat.

This year, I have a newish laptop (February) and my brand spanking new Netbook. This years novel will be written entirely on the netbook and will be written in many different places. The coffee house down the street, the houses of family and friends, my own house – my couch, my bed, the floor – I love writing at the library – so that will happen too. Restaurants, the park on nice days, my front porch or back patio. Lots and lots of different places.

How do you find time to write?
I am a professional writer. It is who I am, and what I do every single day. Essentially it is my job, and because of this, I do it every day. It is not difficult to find the time to write because of this. But when I do need to “find the time”, I MAKE the time. Even if its just a couple of minutes while I’m waiting to take dinner out of the oven, etc.

Are your partners, friends and family allies or enemies?
Thankfully everyone in my life is pretty supportive. They often forget I don’t have as much time in November to hang out or talk on the phone, etc. But when they remember why, they are excited and usually trying to find out what is going on in the story, etc. I think I’m blessed in that aspect. A few of them don’t get why I do it exactly, but they are supportive regardless.

What are you strengths and what do you use to help you get to the end?
Frankly, I am a very creative person. I also work really well on a deadline. I don’t need much to help me get to the end. If I do need a little push, often I take a walk to clear my head and get some fresh air. This usually brings me back fresh and rejuvenated. Plus, often while walking, the next scene/idea/situation comes to me and I cannot wait to get back home and write it down. Plus, I am ADHD and non-medicated and it gives me all this endless energy and my mind never really stops going.

What are your weaknesses, obstacles and challenges that hinder you from finishing?
ADHD. LOL I know it’s a strength and a weakness. I’m more easily distracted because of the ADHD which can hinder a project I am working on. Sometimes it comes across as if I am a procrastinator but more than anything is it the distraction taking hold. The only other obstacle I have is that I have FIVE children (10-15), so finding time between their activities and spending time with them, can sometimes be difficult towards the end of the month when they are off school for the holiday.

Do you plot/outline/plan or do you write by the seat of your pants? How much do you plot or how unprepared are you?
In the past I have been known to take “notes” beforehand and then work off those. I have only once done a “by the seat of my pants” approach. It was really hard, and I didn’t enjoy it quite as much.

This year I am actually working on an outline. I’m pleased with the way I am approaching it, I just wish the plot ideas would quit pouring into my mind and I could just stick to one of them.

Do you participate in the real life community, go to write ins and meet ups in your area?
I’m on the forums year round. I have yet to attend a meet up in my area, but the reason for that is more because they aren’t held too close to my house, often held on school nights and on weekends I have 5 kids to worry about. LOL

What are your writing aids? Special snacks, music, totems, rewards or punishments?
Coffee is my main writing aid. It helps wake me up in the morning, and keeps me going for hours. During NaNo I often splurge a little and have candy, pastries, chips and chocolate nearby for any time I need a ‘boost’. I also get a lot of subs as snacks too during November.

My music is broad and covers everything. I try to create a soundtrack that follow the ‘theme’ of my novel each year, but I am pretty satisfied just to be listening to anything on my iPod.

I have had a totem in the past that was a little bear, but it is difficult to carry him around with me everywhere, so I gave him up two years ago. This year my kids obtained 4 little pet mice (yes real ones), and when I am having a bout of writer’s block, I enjoy staring at them and watching them. They are really funny, and for some reason they motivate me.

I do not use a reward/punishment system because I have never needed to. I love writing, it’s what I do. So I don’t need motivation to do it.

So that’s all folks, if you join in – leave me a link in the comments so I can come check yours out!

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