17489–NaNo
I had a writing session tonight after my meetings. Since I worked on short sections tonight, I took mini breaks with writing emails in between. So I wrote on my computer from 10 to 11:45 p.m. I have a total of 17489 words. Doing well so far.
This afternoon I started reading “Where She Went” by Gayle Forman. It is the sequel to “If I Stay.” You should check them out.
My concert yesterday went well. I played “To a Wild Rose” by Edward MacDowell at the Manor House. Tomorrow I’m taking a big test, so wish me luck!
Tomorrow Prairie Margins is having a write-in at 302 Eppler North at Bowling Green State University. If you can’t come, join us next week, Nov. 18, from 8:30-11 p.m. for another write-in. More details to follow. There will be food and a raffle!
15427–NaNo
Today I wrote 17 6×9 pages in my journal. I’m not sure of the time because I was in flow for most of it. Over two thousand words! By hand! A new record me, that’s for sure.
Charlotte is now in San Diego and just got a job as a street artist’s assistant. I found a new character’s name (Thomas) and the surprise introduction of a failed short story’s character into the novel. Not what I expected, but certainly what my novel needed. Jack is a creepy fellow.
12584–NaNo
I didn’t update my word count yesterday, but I was productive in the early hours of Sunday morning. I got caught up on my dishes and laundry and worked on my word count. I wrote by hand from 1:32-3 a.m., for a total of 10738 words.
This morning I wrote from 6:45-7:26 a.m. on my computer at home with a different soundtrack. I chose Red Hot Chili Peppers, simply because I needed a change of pace. So my total is now 12584.
My class workshopped a portion of the novel that I wrote in April and have revised since. I am happy with their comments. I even had a massive brainstorming session Friday afternoon, inspired by the workshop for new ideas.
Turns out Charlotte writes letters.
Prompt–Monday, November 7
Write a lipogram. For more details on oulipo, check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oulipo. And lipograms: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipogram.
For this lipogram, choose a letter to not use. I will not use “e.”
For this rain to fall
without a hitch
a hiccup or a sigh,
I will not say
how lilies can
see its path.
9512–NaNo
Writing session: 9:30-10:22 a.m. 9512 total words to date. Listened to soundtrack Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1. Wrote at home on the computer. This morning was a painful scene, but Charlotte and I got through it.
I had to sleep in this morning. It’s been a long and wonderful first week of NaNoWriMo. Chris Baty posted a video yesterday asking for help with his novel about an artist. Since Charlotte is an artist, I responded. I’m grateful he started NaNo because I wouldn’t be doing it today without him. I would probably still be struggling with my first novel ideas and have no clue who Charlotte is or have a better idea how to write a novel. Being a student at BGSU in the creative writing programs has also helped me write, form a discipline, tell a story, revise, and critique myself and others. So here’s to Chris Baty: thank you. And thank you to my instructors and fellow students in the program.
7759 NaNo
7759 words total. Writing session: 8:55-10:18 a.m. At home on the computer with novel’s soundtrack. Made it through the first major event. Now she’s on a bus to San Diego from Cincinnati.
Just to let you know I did not finish a short story in October (even though I brainstormed ideas for several), so my friend won again with writing one. We’ll try to do something in December.
But until then, it’s novel-writing time.
And today is my workshop in the fiction workshop class. It is the same novel I’m working on now, except with what I wrote in April and have revised since. NaNo material is still too new for a workshop to critique. Besides, it would affect my word count.
Do you listen to music?
When you write, do you listen to music? I’ve found that longer writing projects (like novels) have their own soundtracks morph together. Right now I’m listening to the following playlist for my NaNo novel consisting of: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part I and Part II by Alexandre Desplat, Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King by Howard Shore, and Beo by Fin Tan.
I usually listen to Celtic/Irish music or the Harry Potter soundtracks when I write. They let me tap into a space where I can focus without being distracted by the music.
Here’s the link to NaNoWriMo mix by Electric Literature: http://electricliterature.com/blog/2011/11/03/nanowrimo-mix-by-electric-literature/#more-7231.
Feel free to share what music you listen to when you write or work on your creative endeavors.
4296 NaNoWriMo
Updated word count is 4296. Writing session: 4:30-6:21 a.m. at home on my computer.
This year I’m off to a strong word count, surpassing the word goals for the day. I hope this continues to be a trend! In the past it seemed to be a struggle to write so much because I would hit 1000 or 1500 words and my brain would be mush. But this novel is flying out of my fingers.
For those of you who decided to participate yesterday, good luck! You can do it. Perseverance and persistence will help you reach your goal.
1730 NaNoWriMo
First writing session of the month: 5:30-6:22 a.m., 1730 words, typed on my computer at home.
This November is already going well. I could hardly sleep last night because I was so excited. Then when I was ready to drift off, my narrator gave me some lines of dialogue. Just beautiful.
And I wrote this poem about getting off to a good start:
This November I am nocturnal,
a bat hunting for insects of inspiration,
feeding on the juicy fruit of conflict,
opening the nut of realization
that something about this story
rings true with the hope that life
begins and ends with love.
Rather abstract at the end, but I’m pleased that writing is begetting more writing. To November: may every day continue to exceed the 1667 threshold.
Suzanna and Writing 