Comments on: Daily discipline and nothing

By: Vanessa K

Vanessa K — Sun, 24 Oct 2021 00:25:39 +0000

When you read back over the writing you have already done, what sparks curiosity? Are there characters or situations that you wonder about? What happened next, or what’s the backstory – how did they get here? Maybe you don’t need a full plot (destination), just a path on which to start travelling . . . (This can be tricky for the planning type, ask me how I know!)

By: omdg

omdg — Fri, 22 Oct 2021 20:05:11 +0000

Do it anyway. Maybe it will be crap. But you’re a writer, you will eventually produce something worthy, it just may take some time. Be patient with yourself.

By: Erica

Erica — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 02:08:49 +0000

I know you are a professional writer and don’t want to waste your time, but I feel like the true spirit of nanowrimo is to start with nothing – maybe an idea, but certainly not a fully-plotted novel or even an outline – and just write, and see what mix of garbage and brilliance comes out.

By: Joy

Joy — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 00:52:09 +0000

I’m doing it as a rebel. I’m trying to restart a daily writing habit and don’t write fiction so I’m aiming for writing journal entries every day in the month of November. It’s unlikely I’ll get to 50,000 words but you never know. It will be good practice if nothing else.

By: Jen Sciubba

Jen Sciubba — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 18:42:37 +0000

Would a writing prompt/day help, I wonder? The kind where you’re given a scenario and you have to follow it? I think NaNoWriMo has these on their IG account throughout the year. Maybe free writing is too free…

By: Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 16:37:28 +0000

In reply to Susan M Haven.

@Susan – that sounds like quite the plot! Thanksgiving tends to be a bust for me with writing because of travel and no childcare. But I just write during the work day since that’s kind of my job anyway. (Fun fact: Juliet’s School of Possibilities was sort of a NaNoWriMo novel! It’s shorter than 50,000 words, but I did write the entirety in November).

By: Laura Vanderkam

Laura Vanderkam — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 16:35:57 +0000

In reply to Elisa.

@Elisa- I generally just try to do it as quickly as I can. I write pretty fast, especially if I know what I’m writing about, so it’s generally been a 2-hour-or-less thing per day. I plan in some days “off” (it can be hard to write on weekends/holidays) so I’m often aiming closer to 2000 words/day.

Maybe I’ll outline a plot in an hour! We can always hope!

By: Susan M Haven

Susan M Haven — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 14:57:41 +0000

This is my 20th year. (I have completed it about 12 times) but even if I don’t get 50 thousand words, I have fun. This year I am having a university dining hall deal with new leadership, a management audit, and a hurricane.

I try to get 1700 words most days, and usually have a Thanksgiving marathon where I write between basting the turkey.

By: Elisa

Elisa — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 13:28:00 +0000

I’m planning to do it for the third time. In the past, I’ve just started writing on Nov. 1 and much of it has been nonsensical. But months ago, trying to avoid virtual school duties (!) and struck with inspiration, I actually outlined a plot in an hour. I looked at it recently and I still think it’s the best idea I’ve had so far.
I’m curious – do you put a daily time limit/goal on your Nanowrimo writing? Or do you just write as quickly as you can?