Me and NaNoWriMo

Well, In a Flash went absolutely nowhere. I'm beginning to think Nano was created to torture me, to make me want to write new novels every year right when my business is kicking into high gear and I just don't have the time.

Time, you say? A novelist makes time to write, right? Eek!

However...the novel I began in November, 2015 is still alive an kicking. I have an outline, of sorts, as you know I am a "pantser" (i.e. - I write by the seat of my pants). I have great characters, a funky plot, and lots of adventure.

Currently, I am working on getting inside my characters heads a bit more, learn more about what motivates them beyond the obvious. I've written sixteen chapters, and they've all grown a lot, but I think some of that information, emotion and motivation needs to manifest earlier in the book or my readers won't want to keep turning the page.

And, I still haven't finished editing my first novel. Dumb, huh. My son tells me to just finish it and publish it myself. Not too bad of an idea, really. With a great cover - I need a new one - and an even greater description, it could work.

Okay, so maybe it's not so bad having two complete novels and three partial novels (not counting the ones I was motivated to write or begin at other times).

Nanowrimo got me started writing novels in the first place. I was strictly poetry and short stories before Nano. So, ix-nay on the torture and hats off instead.

Another Disappointing NaNoWriMo Word Count

I just can't make myself do it. I feel terrible. The only reason I'm writing this is to vent. I'm so sick of being sick. Make it end! I want to write again.

It's National Novel Writing Month Again

And, once again, I'm hard at it. My novel this year is In a Flash, which is already going in a different direction than I had originally planned. That's what makes me a "pantser." I don't write from an outline, per se, but more by the seat of my pants. It's the only way to go. So, here's the current official incarnation of my cover.

And, here's my word counter




I'm only a little over 1500 words behind schedule this year. Considering that I've been sick, and working on a big contract, I think that's pretty good.

Starving for Writing

Well, I haven't had time to work on NaNoWriMo, so I guess I'm out of luck as it is well past the 15th. But, much worse than that is that I haven't been working on my first novel. It's been over a week now, and except for editing a piece for my writer's group, I haven't touched it. I'm so hungry I could faint. I need to get my priorities in order!

Life Happened

Well, I looks like I'm going to have to table Mermaid's Moon this year. I hate it, but I just got handed a huge project with a short and dire deadline. But, who knows, if I can get this project done by the 15th, my birthday, I might still make it. After all, I wrote Soul Jumpers in 15 days. I'm going to need an explosion of creativity though.

I do have some. Here's the cover I designed for the book. I think I'm getting nostalgic already.

Writer's Digest PAD (poem a day) Chapbook Challenge

I forgot to mention, I'm also totally behind on this challenge. Rats! I've really got to do something to kick my creative self in the butt. Jack London once said,

"You can't wait for inspiration; you have to go after it with a club."

Hello, where do I find that club, please?

An Inauspicious Beginning

 I certainly haven't got much to show for myself yet. I haven't been feeling my best, but that's no excuse. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor dark of night...wait, that's not right. No, but the idea is the same. Writing has to be a disease; you have to be infected with it to really make it work.

While I've been editing my first nano novel over the past several months, that's what it has felt like. Like I'm burning up inside, hungry for the world and the people I created.  I just haven't reached that level of intensity with Mermaid's Moon. Maybe I never will. We'll have to wait and see.

I know I wrote my first novel in 15 days. That's how my characters grabbed me and dragged me through their adventures. I guess I'm just not in Sherri's head enough. I don't really know her like I should. I'm getting there. I was hoping she'd show herself more as we went along. Some characters are just shy that way I guess. You gotta goose 'em.

Well, it's off to bed. We have a write-in tomorrow and I have high hopes for Miss Sherri and her new tail.

Wish me luck!