November 2017 - NaNo Week 2

We're past the happy, giddy writing stage. If we're on track for November 30th, we should be just short of 11,700 words. If you're ahead, that's amazing! You're doing great! If you're behind, don't fret yet. There's still time.

Last week, I reminded you that this is just a first draft. JUST WRITE. Editing comes later.
This week, I offer this tidbit of advice: If you run into a slow patch, Change things up.

You may wonder what I mean. Here's the thing:
Consider the characters, the scenes, and what is slowing you down. Maybe you need to add a character, shift the tension to a different person. Maybe you have too many characters and need one to exit, stage left... by whatever means necessary. *insert Mr. Burns evil cackle and finger drumming here*

But sometimes, you need a change to flow the words.
Here's my experience as an example:
I had a character who just would not move forward, I floundered with the same 10K words for a long time. Then I shifted the love interest from within the primary adventure story line to waiting at the end, as part of the MC's goals. Suddenly, that story has flowed without me worrying about inspiration. And it creates new obstacles for me to write about.

So update us on status, if you have 30 seconds, and Let's Write!
Go Team LT!

I'm at 18K but am having trouble keeping track of characters! Oi. Still plugging along though.

To take the "change things up" advice and run with it, everyone knows that NaNo isn't always about coherency, right? Sometimes if you are really stuck, it can do wonders to have a random penguin (or ninja, or hamster) show up, dancing and signing show tunes. As you write your characters trying to figure out what the freak is going on, you may just get un-stuck (and also, more words!).

I have a small scenebunny for last year's (unfinished) NaNo that I'm going to attempt writing today while stuck in the hospital waiting room (my mom's having surgery). *crosses fingers*

Release the hounds!

Actually someone releasing the hounds could work in the bit I'm about to write. Hmmm....

Struggling a bit. I'm ahead in word count but the font of inspiration is slowing dramatically.

Soon a hound will come bounding towards your characters, carrying... something... in its mouth. What is it?

Great advice, gilroy! I was stuck on a scene for 2 days. It was so boring I kept nodding off as I was writing it and even took a day off from writing because I just couldn't. Now, I know being a 1st draft it doesn't have to be perfect or even, you know, good, but when it's so boring it affects me with sleeping sickness and makes me want to clean the toilet instead of write, that's bad.

So, I wrote a different scene about different characters on a completely different timeline, and voilà! Inspired, I went back to the boring scene and finished it, then wrote another completely different scene that adds depth to my main character plus a plot device. Now I'll be moving on from the original boring scene.

Anyway, I'm about 5,000 words behind schedule but am confident I can make it up this weekend.

>3 Heather19: Hope your mom's doing well, Heather.

I hit 25K today. Yay me! However, like everyone else the font of inspiration is drying up. So had St George ride in on a horse, to 'help' my character and his dragon... Puff does not know who George is. Yet.

Had a dud yesterday but better today. Running out of steam now though. Turns out ones son deciding to throw up pool side after his swimming lesson - not designed to make one inspirational!

I think I spoke too soon. Writing today is like pulling teeth. Sigh.

You ever think about writing a scene featuring one of your characters poolside barfing? :)

I'm there with you. Friday I wrote over 2000 words. Yesterday, 500. I just could not get motivated.

Should pass 25K tonight if all goes well.

One of the times I tried to write a novel and was getting blocked I read the advice to do something unexpected to your protagonist. I had him crossing a street and being hit by a car. Presto! A whole chapter in the hospital with new characters to boot! (Unfortunately it still wasn't enough to get me to finish.) More advice I learned - give directions with lots of detail. Rather than just say the character made a sandwich, explain how he used the organic peanut butter purchased at the farmer's market and the jam from the last jar made by his deceased grandmother. Describe the bread, the knife used. Another piece of advice is to make a list of stuff.

Best of luck to you guys! I think I need to try again once I'm retired.