Screw it, scrap it, start over!!!
OMG, starting over two ways....first, I had my update completed and the #*!$* browser crashed again! Dang it, I either wind up having to force-quit because I can't get the thing to load properly, or it closes on its own!!
Now...what this is REALLY about...
So here I am 6000 words and 19 days into NaNoWriMo, and struggling to generate any more words. I like the concept..."the idea has merit" as Jafar says in Aladdin...but I really don't like my main character. She has no sense of humor, and hasn't done much that's useful so far. I like the hero of the story, but the poor guy hasn't had much to do either. This is a switch for me -- usually, I LOVE the female protagonist and have trouble creating a male protagonist at her level who isn't a walking cliche of an alpha male.
So 6000 words and 19 days in NaNoWriMo...I'm scrapping the project. Well, not scrapping it...just shelving it. I'll take another look at it at a later date. Like I said, the concept, I think, it a good one. Character development is lacking and frankly my outline is non-existent.
NaNoWriMo 2006 has taught me a critical lesson: I can't go into this on a wing and a prayer and have it work...especially with free writing time at a premium. Last year, I didn't have this problem.
I thought about what made NaNo2005 a little more productive, and I decided to take the approach I used last year...pulling out the play book to set up the Hail Mary, down-by-six, less than a minute to go play.
With NaNoWriMo 2005, I had a plot outline, I had solidly developed characters, I even had backstory -- lots of it. This year, I had a rough idea, the characters had names and jobs, and that was it. So Friday night, I decided to do what I did last year: rifle through my desktop folder of half-baked, long-stalled ideas and pull one that had a decent head start...not in text, but in outline and character development. I found two that I felt good about...so flipping a coin, I picked one and got to work.
I am closing in on 5000 words after less than two days' work. Granted I got very few domestic chores completed yesterday...maybe three loads of laundry, and managing to feed the family twice...but when something clicks, it clicks. With a solid outline and decently developed characters, I have managed to carve out almost as many words in two days as I have in the previous 19 with a lukewarm idea.
So I'd better get back to it here while I can..."must do" items on the agenda today include helping Eldest Child study for two tests for the short week at school, completing laundry, and a short hop to the grocery store for essentials like milk, Diet Rite, and bagels. Plenty to work with for meals for the next three days...after that it's turkey leftovers. I am also supposed to meet a friend for java this afternoon...and I will...not going to bail on her. Also have to detour to Target and pick up my contact lenses.
Writing goal for today: clear 7000 words. Hit 10K by Wednesday...write Thursday morning (Praise Be! I'm not hosting Thanksgiving this year!!)...write Thursday night if I don't slip into a turkey and sweet potato induced coma....Friday AM, I will do some Christmas shopping (hey, it's payday and it may be the only time I have...I know exactly what I'm getting for most people -- ain't nothing to it but to do it!)...Friday afternoon, hopefully write....Saturday is "tree day" around here...putting up the Christmas tree and decorating for the holidays...Sunday, write like a crazy person. I have NO idea if I'm going to hit 50K...NO idea if that Hail Mary is going to work...but I'm not going to surrender.
RE: Buckeyes and Wolverines....WHAT A GAME!!! Now THAT'S football!
Now...what this is REALLY about...
So here I am 6000 words and 19 days into NaNoWriMo, and struggling to generate any more words. I like the concept..."the idea has merit" as Jafar says in Aladdin...but I really don't like my main character. She has no sense of humor, and hasn't done much that's useful so far. I like the hero of the story, but the poor guy hasn't had much to do either. This is a switch for me -- usually, I LOVE the female protagonist and have trouble creating a male protagonist at her level who isn't a walking cliche of an alpha male.
So 6000 words and 19 days in NaNoWriMo...I'm scrapping the project. Well, not scrapping it...just shelving it. I'll take another look at it at a later date. Like I said, the concept, I think, it a good one. Character development is lacking and frankly my outline is non-existent.
NaNoWriMo 2006 has taught me a critical lesson: I can't go into this on a wing and a prayer and have it work...especially with free writing time at a premium. Last year, I didn't have this problem.
I thought about what made NaNo2005 a little more productive, and I decided to take the approach I used last year...pulling out the play book to set up the Hail Mary, down-by-six, less than a minute to go play.
With NaNoWriMo 2005, I had a plot outline, I had solidly developed characters, I even had backstory -- lots of it. This year, I had a rough idea, the characters had names and jobs, and that was it. So Friday night, I decided to do what I did last year: rifle through my desktop folder of half-baked, long-stalled ideas and pull one that had a decent head start...not in text, but in outline and character development. I found two that I felt good about...so flipping a coin, I picked one and got to work.
I am closing in on 5000 words after less than two days' work. Granted I got very few domestic chores completed yesterday...maybe three loads of laundry, and managing to feed the family twice...but when something clicks, it clicks. With a solid outline and decently developed characters, I have managed to carve out almost as many words in two days as I have in the previous 19 with a lukewarm idea.
So I'd better get back to it here while I can..."must do" items on the agenda today include helping Eldest Child study for two tests for the short week at school, completing laundry, and a short hop to the grocery store for essentials like milk, Diet Rite, and bagels. Plenty to work with for meals for the next three days...after that it's turkey leftovers. I am also supposed to meet a friend for java this afternoon...and I will...not going to bail on her. Also have to detour to Target and pick up my contact lenses.
Writing goal for today: clear 7000 words. Hit 10K by Wednesday...write Thursday morning (Praise Be! I'm not hosting Thanksgiving this year!!)...write Thursday night if I don't slip into a turkey and sweet potato induced coma....Friday AM, I will do some Christmas shopping (hey, it's payday and it may be the only time I have...I know exactly what I'm getting for most people -- ain't nothing to it but to do it!)...Friday afternoon, hopefully write....Saturday is "tree day" around here...putting up the Christmas tree and decorating for the holidays...Sunday, write like a crazy person. I have NO idea if I'm going to hit 50K...NO idea if that Hail Mary is going to work...but I'm not going to surrender.
RE: Buckeyes and Wolverines....WHAT A GAME!!! Now THAT'S football!