And as you can tell by the title of this blog post, I’m not really prepared for it. Maybe one of these years I’ll create some kind of outline/plan. I don’t think I’ve had a particular story going into NaNoWriMo since probably 2013? I’ve won the last five years anyway, so I guess I find ways to make it work without much thought into the story process.
In the beginning of October, I really did start thinking how I wanted my November to look like. I knew I was going to pretty much stop reading books. (I actually started Book #20 early last week, but there’s no way I’m finishing it tonight. I deliberately chose a book where I wouldn’t have a problem remembering the story if I don’t happen to pick it up again until December.) I was also happily willing to sacrifice my exercise regimen that I was so strict with for the past four months. Then the chaos of October struck, and by the second week of this month, I stopped working out. Oops. I was just practicing sitting in front of my laptop for November, right?
But in between all the birthdays, all the weekend social activities, getting a new car, dogsitting, and my sister getting engaged, I pushed all things NaNoWriMo out the door. (I did, however, write my first poem of the year last week.) Except now it’s officially starting in less than twenty-four hours. I’ve been getting myself acquainted today with their new website.
My plan so far:
-Write a bunch of stories until one finally sticks. I have one idea that I was kicking around last month, so I’d like to give it a go at some point. I actually haven’t written any fiction since June, so I know I’ll need to write “warm-up” stories for the first couple of days. One of the stories I started back in June has potential, so I’d love to revisit those characters too.
-Be an overachiever this year again and write at least 1700 words/day instead of the recommended 1667 words/day. Hopefully I don’t lose my sanity in the process.
-Apply the tactic of write-after-midnight more than usual. If I write 45-60 mins right after midnight, it still counts for the new day. Therefore, I don’t have to write so much at once in the evening. It usually takes me almost two hours to get my word count in per day.
-I have 4-5 albums lined up for me to listen to while writing next month. Music helps me tune out the world so I can disappear inside my writing better. Listening to an album straight through prevents me from constantly leaving my Word document to change the song to something else that I prefer.
-Win.
It’s not a whole lot different of a plan compared to years past, but there’s no point in changing something when it’s not broken. My eyes are on a sixth Winner’s Certificate.
Needless to say, in case you need this reminder, I will be absent from this blog for the entire month of November. I have marathon writing to focus on, you know.
On that note, see you in December! And hopefully I’ve recovered from any sleep deprivation by that time.
P.S. Happy Halloween! I was hoping to show off my latest pumpkin carving, but my sister’s schedule was too hectic this month for us to do any carving, so it didn’t happen this year. Instead, here’s a picture of an adorable black cat because it’s Halloween-related and I’ve always had a spot soft for them.
P.P.S. Fun fact, but this is my 100th post on this blog!
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