Because the rules of NaNoWriMo specifically state that no prose-writing is to begin prior to November 1, I’m doing all I can to prepare for the event. I figure that in order to successfully complete a 50,000 word novel in 30 days I’ll have to. I’m still trying to get a more routine work schedule (everybody cheer — I’m now only working an average of 11 hours a day!) and I feel the onset of a cold coming on.
I’m like a runner prepping for a marathon. Can’t starting sprinting until the Nov.1 gun goes off, but I sure as hell can train and stretch and drink all the electrolytes my stomach can, er, stomach.
So here’s what I’ve done so far:
1. I’ve signed up! I am officially registered with NaNoWriMo. So now, if I don’t complete the novel, I *officially* invite ridicule and scorn from friends and family.
2. I’ve started running again. Like, actually running — this isn’t a metaphor. I “plot” well on the treadmill, and my fingers seem to continue the rhythm of my legs once I sit down at my computer. Narrate, girl, narrate!
3. I set a schedule. Per the advice of Mr. Chris Baty (the originator of NaNoWriMo), I assessed what my necessary and unneccessary activities were, and when my best hours for writing would be. You’ll all be glad to know I’ll have no social life for the month of November and will be writing between the hours of 4am-6am.
4. I’ve started collecting fortune cookies(see last post). I’ve decided that rather than come up with any unique plot idea, my novel will be based squarely on a patchwork of fortune cookie phrases.
Plot, character & theme brainstorming all underway. And again, if you have any extra fortune cookies you don’t want, please send ‘em my way. I’m gonna need all the help I can get…
1 response so far ↓
1 bob // Oct 14, 2006 at 9:22 am
Did the thing last year. It helped but I never reached 50,000 words. They say Kerouac wrote On the Road in three weeks. Wasn’t that 50,000 words? He never followed up. Muse is unreliable mistress.
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