NaNoWriMo Success

If I’ve been blog-quiet for the last few weeks it is because I’ve been working on my NaNoWriMo 50,000 word manuscript to be written in the month of November. I finished the challenge at 50,103 words, but this is by no means the end. The manuscript has a way to go yet and the dreaded editing of course.

What have I learned over the last month? –

• That saying I haven’t got time to write isn’t true – I easily managed 1,700 words a day.

• That I am definitely happier writing longer pieces of work.

• A confirmation that characters can have minds of their own and lead your book into unexpected waters.

• That a theme is definitely emerging in my work which seems to point towards my genre being romantic suspense.

• That my hunger to be published is growing.

This is the third novel I have now completed at first draft stage and I am now determined to edit all three and send them out to prospective publishers.

Off to celebrate now with a cup of tea and a bar of chocolate. How do you like to celebrate your achievements?

Serial First Drafter?

Day 7 of NaNoWriMo and I am enjoying writing a new story. This one has the chain saw carver in it, who was the subject of an earlier post. Anyone who knows me is aware that I am a planner and very organised. When writing a first draft, however, I tend to be a panster not a planner and enjoy this unaccustomed freedom.

I am a little worried that I am becoming a serial first draft writer though. After this one I need to settle down to edit the last few. Does anyone else have this problem?

I went to a talk on Saturday by Sue Johnson about the two books she has had published this year and her road to publication. Fable’s Fortune is doing well and her latest “how to” book Creative Alchemy is very useful and a wonderfully tactile small size.

Good luck to my fellow NaNo writers – keep going!