Last November, with a little encouragement, I signed on for my first NaNoWriMo. I didn't expect much of myself since writing a novel was really just a fantasy I'd had since childhood. Afterall, I am a mom, mother and a full time teacher, so how the heck was I going to write 50,000 words in 30 days? Anyhow, I jumped in with both feet and boy did I have fun!
Fast forward to today. I sit before you with my 60,000+ words and don't have a clue what to do with it. I think the prospect of revising and editing it is even more daunting than sitting down and writing the ideas on paper (well, ok, more like on Word). I have barely even touched the so-called "work in progress" since around Christmas time when I had two weeks off from school. Today is my first official day off from school for the summer. I have no major vacations planned this year, my kids are old enough to entertain themselves much of the time, and I have no serious work to get done for the upcoming school year. So what is holding me back from my writing? Me!
Anyone else ever get to this point and just give up? I'd hate to see my work just take up folder space in my laptop and never do anything with it. But at the same time, how do you wrap your mind around the fact that most of what I wrote is probably garbage and it will probably take me a lot longer to revise the story than it did to write it?
HELP!
I need your encouragement, advice, and cyber-space hand holding to help me through this. I have the next 7 weeks or so to focus myself and get the job done. What step should I take first?
Your friend in fiction,
Emily
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3 comments:
Find a writing buddy and go for it. Even if you don't swap, make a calendar and make yourself accountable to someone. It makes all the difference in the world, and summer is the best time to write. Sit outside. Print a FULL copy and stick it in your beach bag. Make it part of your daily routine and by the end of summer you will be submitting to agents!
Emily,
I'm right there with you. Starting a "Finding the Muse" online course this week. I've cut back on my teaching, I should have more time ... now, it has to be done.
Cyber-hugs and inspiration to you,
Marie
Emily,
I still have the 50,000 word monstrosity I wrote for NaNoWriMo 2006. I am proud of that first draft but have yet to go back and do anything with it. *sigh*
I did come across 'The Snowflake Design' just before NaNo2007 though I didn't have time to use if for that year.
However,you maybe able to use some of the concepts - I am thinking Step 8 here - to help you get a handle on your NaNo manuscript. I am currently working on the first draft of a new novel and am keeping track of what is happening in what chapter, new character names and when they first appear and of course daily word count...because I felt the same way when I was done with that 2006 first draft...what do I do with it...where do I even start...and even what did I write...
Good Luck...and you know, you've got me thinking about that story again...maybe I need to get it out and tackle the rewrite...
Reni
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