It’s that time of year again, when aspiring writers all over the world tackle National Novel Writing Month– one month to draft a novel!
Will it be messy? YES
Will it be stressful at times? YES
Will I be staying up later than usual? Probably.
Will I regret a single moment? N-O 🙂
This year’s NaNo draft will be a continuation of my fantasy trilogy which I started in April. Book One’s rewrite is currently in the hands of my well-read sister-in-law and I am on pins and needles waiting for her reaction. But while I wait, I am pushing forward with Book Two. And I’ve already learned a few things:
Lesson One: There wasn’t much point in trying to organize an outline, as I’ve already managed to derail it a mere three chapters in. Outlining before drafting is definitely not my thing. After the draft, I will outline in retrospect before tackling the rewrite. That’s what I did with Book One and it’s worked well, so… I’ve learned my lesson– if the method ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it.
Lesson Two: I can never assume that I know my characters, until they’ve had the chance to tell me their story. My female lead has been especially surprising so far. I thought I’d gotten to know her fairly well in Book One, but now she’s become a mother; and just as I learned things about myself when I became a new mom, Matara is also showing me a side of herself that hadn’t surfaced before.
Lesson Three: I can’t write squat first thing in the morning. No point getting up early to write before the fam gets up.
See you all on November 30th when I’ll have my complete draft for Book Two!
Bring it on, November. I have a chromebook and I’m not afraid to use it.
S. L. Forrester 