Comments on: NaNoWriMo Update: 50,000 Words Does Not a Novel Make

By: Kate Lord Brown

Kate Lord Brown — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 15:40:47 +0000

Hi Tamara - I was a NanoVirgin too! I've used the month to give my next book a kick start, and it's worked beautifully. Now - like you - steaming towards 100k. Good luck! Kate Lord Browns last blog post..Duende - Magic, Fire

By: dianacacy

dianacacy — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:57:27 +0000

My books are normally 100,000 to 120,000 words long, so the 50,000 is more of a marker than anything. For this year, I chose a project that I'll actually end up cutting down from the 50,000 word mark. It's meant to be a download for a gaming project. It's something new for me, so I decided nanowrimo would allow me to use it as a good training project for myself. When I first started writing book-length projects, I thought 50,000 words was astronomical. Now, I know better. But I think many getting into nanowrimo for the first time haven't developed their writing style and habits yet. You have already, so you're seeing it from the other side. dianacacys last blog post..Not running so much...

By: Tamara Berry

Tamara Berry — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:32:02 +0000

Deb – Thanks for the tip. It’s good to know I’m not alone in my frustrations here.

I remember from your blog last year that you were a NaNoWriMo particpant. Are you doing it again?

By: Deb

Deb — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:29:23 +0000

It sounds like you are having a very typical first NaNo experience for an experienced writer from a different form of writing. Try to find a balance between advancing the story and getting "enough" words. Often, and I have done this myself, if you happen upon a section which is tons of description the reader could need or it isn't "office-appropriate" or you're not comfortable putting down in black and white, just hit ENTER put a few dashes in the center hit ENTER again and type something like "This section needs development later" (make a note in your NaNo journal) hit ENTER again and put another row of dashes and move on. This is completely legitimate and you detour what could become a brick wall to meeting your goal. Debs last blog post..Fall sunset - glorious!