It's All About Writing » NaNoWriMo

Something’s Missing

Nicole Humphrey Cook — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 16:00:46 +0000

The past few days have felt almost numb. I am working on other projects, but the fast paced, goal oriented month of November is over and I am missing it terribly. There’s just something special about the craziness, writing with such abandon and hanging out with a bunch of people doing the same thing. I really do miss it.

I saw that some people are organizing a NaNoWriMo in December, but I am really not interested. I would only do it if it was officially sponsored by Chris Baty and his team of awesomeness. Without the pep talks from amazing authors, and the use of the forums whenever I get stuck or want a dare, it just isn’t the same.

So I plow forward on the two WIP’s I am doing now, and I will come back and begin editing my NaNoWriMo WIP in about two weeks (needed a little break from that one), and life is slowly resuming to normal.

On the bright side, now my house is cleaner, there are groceries in the fridge and the kids aren’t annoying me quite as much. So what are you working on and doing now that NaNo is over?

NaNoWriMo 2009 Winner

Nicole Humphrey Cook — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:30:59 +0000

*woot* I cannot believe I finished and I actually finished more than 12 hours before I had to validate my word count.

That might just have been the most exhausting NaNoWriMo I have participated in. I had a lot to juggle this month, and I did it anyway, It’s extremely rewarding to know I was able to finish, even with all the obstacles. I finished with 53,203 words, which was an accident because I thought I was more behind a few days ago than I was.

On a side note of course, the novel is NOT finished yet, and still has a lot more to be written and so much editing it makes my head hurt thinking about it. But regardless of what I still have to do, I accomplished my goal of 50,000 words and that is all that matters right at the current moment.

On yet another note, I will be VERY happy to get back to blogging and the real world. I miss all my blogs and while I tried to update weekly, I failed miserably. Now I can do better.

I actually rewarded myself for the past two hours, by importing all of my WIPs into yWriter which is my most favorite writing program EVER. Plus I even wrote a little bit on two of them, because I was feeling inspired (so technically I wrote a lot more than 50,000 this month but since they are on other books, they don’t count).

Want to know how else I rewarded myself? Don’t laugh, please. Seriously.

I cleaned. My kitchen. Yes, I did. I said, don’t laugh. I also did two loads of laundry and folded one. Hey, I said don’t laugh! Oddly, it felt satisfying to actually complete my 50,000 words for NaNoWriMo ’09, import all of my WIPS (there were 15 I had to move from Story Binder to yWriter), write some more on two of them, clean my kitchen (swept and mopped the floor, cleaned counters and cabinets and reorganized the counters completely, plus put all the dishes away from my dishwasher), and get three loads of laundry worked on, all before 10am on validation day. Wow! hehe

The rest of the day I am seriously considering writing on a few of my older books just to get back into them. I will probably also do several blog posts and perhaps, after all that, I’ll take a freakin’ nap. I deserve it. LOL

I know a lot of you finished before me. What did you do to reward yourself, if anything? And for those that are finished… where are you, in your word count?

Writing Tips To Keep You Focused

Nicole Humphrey Cook — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:51:37 +0000

The new plot idea is finally down on paper… or rather, typed into yWriter. I wrote nearly 12K just with the new idea, so I feel satisfied that I have what I need down, to be able to come back to it.

My NaNo Novel took a small turn last night and I wound up deleting a few paragraphs and lost almost 800 words in the process. But even that I fixed before I fell asleep. All that and I even managed to help two of the five kids with homework, deal with 1 teen and her crisis, watch an hour of TV and listen to a 2 hour radio show. My night was a success.

Which brings me to today. I have a lot of work to do on my current novel if I hope to finish it by the end of the month. (I am aiming to finish it, not just reach 50K) I keep getting sidetracked by things I have been researching for other projects and situations. I need to focus. Here are some tips for keeping focused. (yes, I plan to heed my own advice).

What happens when my idea seems stale and I want to change directions or plots entirely?

Nothing happens. You just keep writing in whatever direction your heart takes you. That was actually why I wound up deleting those paragraphs. I had a better direction to go. I don’t recommend deleting anything until the end though. You know, do what I say, not what I do. haha.

Even if certain elements of your story have changed, you can keep writing. Editing comes later and that is when you can go back and change what you need to change. Make notes nearby the paragraphs that need changes so it is easier to find them again.

Don’t allow yourself to get bored with what you are writing and think that a change is what you need. It isn’t always. Sometimes we just need a fresh idea or a new character to be introduced.

Can I skip a day of writing and catch up the next day?

There are no rules on how you write, when you write or how you reach 50K. So yes, you can skip a day. But the question would be better asked, “SHOULD I skip a day of writing? The answer to that question, is really, No. You should make every attempt you can to make sure you are writing every single day, even if you aren’t meeting your word count goal for the day. Every little bit helps and keeps the flow going. If you take a day off, it makes it very easy to take the following day off, and continue on with that pattern until you find yourself so behind that you can’t possibly catch up, without getting no sleep for two days straight.

I didn’t quite make my word count goal for the day, is that bad?

No, it is not bad. It’s not a great thing, but it happens to all of us. (especially us idiots who delete 800+ words and then have to write them all again). If you are just a few hundred words off, you can probably make those up fairly quickly. However, if you only get a few hundred words out a day, you have little change of successfully completing your 50K goal. Do everything in your power to meet or exceed your writing goals, daily. If you get ahead, try not to take the next day off. Write something.

This chapter is going nowhere, even though I know what’s going to happen next, what do I do?

You keep writing. I hear this same complaint, year after year and many want to give up when a chapter seems hopeless. Don’t do that. There is no rule that says you cannot skip around from chapter to chapter or scene to scene. So skip ahead. Write a scene that is playing on your mind heavily, or one that you are just really excited to write. You will probably get a lot of words down if you are in the mood to write, and are writing something you are passionate or excited about.

I’ve told this story before, but for the new readers of the blog: Several years ago, the first year I actually won NaNo – I tried something I hadn’t done before. I wrote the beginning and the end first. I even wrote about three different scenes in the middle of the book. THEN I went through and filled in the gaps. It was actually a really cool way to do it. I wound up with subplots I never saw coming and situations I probably wouldn’t have come up with originally.

So, I’m all hyped up on coffee, I have a hot steaming cup sitting next to me, and hours before any kids get off the bus. I am going to go get lost in novel-land and avoid Twitter like the plague.

How’s your novel coming? Are you where you want to be?

(oh, and no James – that’s not me either lol)

The Only Thing I Hate About Writing…

Nicole Humphrey Cook — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 15:55:18 +0000

Honestly I was born to write. When I’m not writing, I feel the constant need, the constant creative thoughts flowing through me. I feel compelled to write.

When I am writing, I feel that need fulfilled. It feels almost poetic… a justice to the words and thoughts I needed to get out.

Sometimes the writing is good, and flows freely. Sometimes the words are stilted and unsure, as if they don’t know which direction to take. But no matter what, when I am writing, I feel alive.

But there is one thing I really hate about writing. When I am writing, and feeling alive, I am also very receptive to my inner thoughts. And I feel the new worlds, the new plots, developing… even when I am deep in the middle of a totally non-connected plot.

It usually happens when I am already in the midst of a plot, and I have all these new ideas occur to me. These new plots, sub plots, characters and story ideas that just inundate my brain and make it impossible to focus on the plot I am working on.

During this time, I usually just take a break from writing and grab some index cards or post its and start frantically taking notes to get the thoughts and ideas out. Often once they are all down on paper, I can return to the project at hand and get back to work.

Sometimes though, I can’t get back to work because the new story idea is yelling at me to work on it. And no matter how much I write down, it isn’t enough for those little plot bunnies that want me to keep going.

When you are working on a deadline, this can certainly wreak havoc. So today I am lost in organizing the ideas for a whole new novel, that I will work on around Christmas. I wish it would release me. I need to get back to work on my NaNo Novel and quit dreaming up new ideas.

How are you guys doing on your word counts for your current WIP? How are your novels developing? Would love to hear about it!

Plotting The Next Part of My Novel

Nicole Humphrey Cook — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:33:53 +0000

I had to take a day off writing, so I am really not as far as I would like to be, but I am hoping all that will change today.

I spent the entire day yesterday spreading out my notes and print outs, and creating post it’s to get that section more organized. I am eager to get started and was relieved that my cat and dogs didn’t mess with my stuff on the table. Yay!

Want to see the mess I made?

Haha, and just think – when I’m ready to move onto the next section of the book, I have to do this all again.

I also think its funny that in the picture I managed to capture the Motrin bottle sitting in the middle of the table. And my always needed coffee cup.

How is your novel coming along?

NaNoWriMo Week 2 Problems – Tips to Keep You Going

Nicole Humphrey Cook — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:51:19 +0000

For some strange reason, many NaNoWriMo participants find week two to be a particularly difficult week to get through. According to Chris Baty in “No Plot? No Problem!” he believes it happens right as the novelty of National Novel Writing Month begins to wear off.

Whatever the reason happens to be, it has been challenging for me in the past as well. This year, (and I’m afraid I will jinx myself) all is still going well and the words still continue to flow each day. Of course, it helps a lot, that I am “writing what I know” this year and writing a book based on a real life situation. That has made a difference.

I have collected these useful tips to keep you going this week, and so that you don’t give up.

Don’t Start Over: For some reason, week two brings on lots of NaNo’ers that decide to scrap their original story idea, and try for a new plot that spontaneously seemed to have combusted inside their brains over the course of the past week while they were writing their original idea. Don’t do this. If you need to, make some notes about the new idea, or better yet, if its possible – try to incorporate it in some way with your new idea. Create a dream sequence, or have one of the characters telling a story, etc. Honestly, you will regret changing your story this week, and having not stuck with your original idea. Push on, and you will get over this hump.

Plot Problems? Keep Pushing. If you still have no idea how your plot is going to pan out, there is no need to panic. This is another situation that is common to many writers during this period, you are not alone. Keep pushing forward. Write as much as you can – keep your characters moving. Even if it doesn’t seem as if plot is happening. Eventually you will break out of this rut (next week) and all of a sudden, things you never saw coming will be happening and you will love it. Just keep up with your word counts, even through the struggle and you will come out on top. Promise.

Character Switch.If you find yourself getting stuck, or find yourself getting bored or annoyed with one of your main characters, try bringing on of your minor characters to the front for awhile. Sometimes it happens that the story we are trying to tell, is better told from a different point of view than what we first started with. Even if you switch back (which is done in lots of novels), it will help keep you going and get your writing flowing again.

Back It Up. No, this is not some fancy phrase for some great writing technique – well it is, but not for week 2 problems. Take the time now to back your novel up. You should already be doing that each time you write, but I cannot tell you how many times over the years I have heard of someone having to start several thousand words back, or even all over because they didn’t back up their novel and it just went poof. Be sure to back it up regularly and in more than one location.

Good luck guys!!

Behind on Your Word Count?

Nicole Humphrey Cook — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:11:07 +0000

We are officially a week into NaNoWriMo and it is at this point, that many participants begin to fall behind. Sometimes these are the same people who were massively ahead in the first few days.

So what do you do? Do you throw in the towel? Absolutely not.

Here are a few ideas that might help.

Word Wars. Try participating in a word war with someone. Set a specific amount of time and write your heart out. Try not to stop and keep it focused on what you need to happen in your story. I’ve come out of many writer’s blocks by participating in word wars, and then I’ve also wound up with whole sections I needed to delete at the end, but for right now – they are still part of the story.
Chapter Hop. Try writing ahead. Try writing a particular scene or situation that you know you want in your story. Even if you aren’t there yet, sometimes it will help you go back and fill in the gaps down the road. Last year I did this, and in one writing session I wound up with over 5000 words on one chapter that I was dying to write. I was able to then go back and it was much easier to fill in the gaps leading to that scene.
Try a creative writing exercise. Find a word prompt or just write something creative from the viewpoint of your character. Who knows, perhaps at the end you can use it in your novel, and if not, you might feel more prepared to begin writing again.
Take a break. Try watching a half hour of TV or reading a book. Don’t just sit and mindlessly stare at the TV. Think about the plot of whatever you are watching. Think about the characters. Think about what you would have changed or written differently, if you had been the writer of the show or author of the book.
Try using Write or Die. If you’ve never used it before, many NaNo’ers swear by it. It keeps you writing non-stop and sometimes you can even come up with new material and your characters can take you in directions you didn’t see happening. And now there is a desktop version. You don’t even have to be connected to use it, keeping the distractions at a minimum.
Plan a vacation for your characters. Take them somewhere new. In your story, have them go on a short vacation. Even if it doesn’t fit in the theme of the book, you can have them win a weekend getaway or something similar from a local radio station or library or something. Taking your characters on vacation could be just what the doctor ordered – for them AND for you.

NaNoWriMo Day 2

Nicole Humphrey Cook — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:17:55 +0000

Well, the second day of NaNoWriMo is coming to a close. I am a little over my targeted goal for today. Not as much as I’d like, but my goal is to write better this year, even if I never actually get to be ‘ahead’. While this is a rough draft, it is still something I would like to not have to make massive plot changes with.

How are you doing so far on NaNo? I had intended to put up a pep talk on Halloween, but Movie Maker won’t recognize the video format. Don’t ask, long story.
So then today, I got that all ironed out. Used a new digital video recorder and taped about 5 minutes worth of clips to put together for a day 2 pep talk, only to have the whole folder disappear. I have no idea where it went and I was too frustrated to keep looking for it.

Tomorrow is a new day, and I will work on a recorded pep talk with tips and maybe before November is over, I can actually PUBLISH it. LOL

Writing Tool Kits

Nicole Humphrey Cook — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 17:18:05 +0000

Three of my children and my husband are busy laughing at me, because I have assembled what I call my ‘Writer’s Tool Kit’. Well laugh all you want, but it helps.

The only reason that the other two aren’t laughing is because they are doing NaNoWriMo with me this year, so they know how awesome it is to have a way to carry everything with you. I’m glad I have my writing tool kit. And you certainly don’t have to participate in a specific writing program to have a writing tool kit on hand.

So, what is in my writing tool kit?

No, it isn’t stocked with protein rich snacks, and packets of coffee. It is a tote bag that holds my netbook, a notebook, several pens in various colors, the cords that go to my netbook and connect to my digital camera and video recorder (for my upcoming NaNo Pep Talks), a sample size bottle of awesome lotion for my hands (I use it when I’m done writing), my copy of No Plot, No Problem, and two other writing books, post-it notes, hard candy, pencils, fun erasers and index cards.

I have been carrying this thing around with me everywhere the past couple of days. It’s just nicer to have everything together in one place. I’m sure I will add to it as National Novel Writing Month progresses and as I find other things I might need when I do my writing, especially away from home. But then, maybe not. Simple is always better.

Do you have a writing kit? If so, what’s in it?

Happy Halloween and NaNoWriMo Eve

Nicole Humphrey Cook — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:13:46 +0000

First, Happy Halloween. If you are going trick or treating tonight, have fun and be safe. Oh, and take lots of pictures so I can laugh at you so I can see how much fun you had!

I cannot believe that NaNoWriMo is seriously almost here – I’m just over 12 hours away from being able to start. It’s about time too, because I’ve been warding off my plot bunnies for many days now, and am still happily sticking to the second plot idea I came up with. I won’t let her in anymore, because she keeps trying to change my mind.

The Aussie’s have already started their NaNoWriMo. Funny, I wish I was them. I’m ready to get started (as I’m sure you couldn’t tell by my blog or if you follow me on twitter).

So here are a few things you can do today to pass the time and get you ready to write.

Make sure your character is not a Mary Sue.
Fill out a character worksheet to get to know your MC better.
Practice your writing without stopping.
Spend some time on the NaNo Forums.
Keep your eye out for my video pep talk coming later this afternoon.

Have any advice for NaNoWriMo? Post it below