GUYS! I WON NANOWRIMO AGAIN!
(Here’s where I say I cried and all that but, to be honest, it went like a breeze this year, so I won’t lie: it was fun!)
I don’t know what changed. Maybe the fact that I wasn’t doing loads of worldbuilding because this is a contemporary book? Whatever it was, I gotta say this draft is just a joy to write. Good times, parties, booze, dancing, drama, crazy scenes, trips, LOLz all around.
HOWEVER, it is not a dumb story.
No, no.
I’m a snob writer (yes, hate me), so THERE IS SUBSTANCE TO THIS THING. I’M DISCUSSING DEEP SHIT.
Ha! Not really.
(But I promise it’s a good, interesting, non-predictable book.)
This novel is one I’ve meant to write since April. In fact, I scheduled it for the summer, and that obviously never happened. This book is inspired by my friends and our time (insert here concept I won’t share cuz there’s no fucking way I’m giving you guys my book ideas). This book is fun, but also heartbreaking —right before it becomes fun again because did I tell you I had a fantastic time writing this thing?
At 50,040 words, I’m kinda halfway there. Let’s see where it goes. I still have loads to add (meaning, more fun to have. No joke, I laugh out loud writing this draft).
This time, I don’t have any advice. Unlike last year, I won without crying or struggling. I didn’t worry and just let it all out. Again, I’m certain this is a matter of the genre, but I’ll take it and run with it.
Perhaps the only things I can say are:
- If you are like me and write on the go and on iPad, try using Scrivener. It’s been a game-changer in terms of reliability, formatting, and seamlessness.
- Don’t fucking edit as you write. Just don’t. Stop. That shit slows you down.
- Stick to a writing routine. Mine? I write during my commute. Like everything, it works if you make an effort.
- Don’t be afraid to write a bit at work. Yes, I barely could work during the last two days cuz I was way too excited writing my book to go back to Excel, but what I learned is that putting down a few words here and there can help combat the dread.
- My sneaky writer tip: a) Open an email window. b) Write, “Dear + (name of a person you could be emailing any normal day).” c) Ten million lines of white space. d) Write your thing. e) Make the book text white. f) Email it to your personal email. Voilà. Who’s gonna check an empty email? No one 😉