Editing my novel

I spent a good eight hours yesterday working my way through the unfinished novel I started writing for NaNoWriMo in November. I haven’t looked at it since the end of November. I found so many errors! It was mostly spelling and grammar in parts where I had been typing as quickly as possible because I had to get the story written down.

I also found that bits I had laboured over and struggled to write, and fully expected to have to throw away or re-write, weren’t actually bad when read through. I’m quite happy with what I have so far. I need to finish the story now, and then go back and fill out the place that are a bit sketchy. And then edit again.

Lots to do then!

Bye

Rose

Midweek moan

I wasn’t planning to write an update until Sunday, but I feel the need to write something. I’m at work so I can’t work on my novel so I’m going to have a moan instead.

I have barely written anything! I’m still recovering from a cold and I’m exhausted from work. Finding the energy to write is hard. If I have a post work nap I can manage it but then I don’t start writing until late in the evening. That limits me to two or three hours at most.

I’ve also got to a point in the novel where I could go in a couple of directions. The overall result will be the same, its just getting there that’s giving me difficulty. I think some of my problem is that I don’t want to tackle the problem but I have to or the novel is not going to get finished.

I need a swift kick up the arse to get going again.

Right, back to the day job I go,

Bye,

Rose

xXx

Weekly NaNoWriMo update 2

Hello,

Well, it’s been an odd week. I’ve been ill, I spent most of the week asleep. However I have tried to work on my novel. I managed to write on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and I’ve written a just over fifteen hundred words today.

My total word count is 20,761.

My goals:

minimum – 18333 words

preferred – 22000 + words

I’m pleased I managed to pass my minimum word count and there is still a chance could manage my preferred word count of 22,000 but I’m getting tired and I have to get ready for work tomorrow. I write best from about 8pm to midnight or later, It’s difficult though, because I have to get up for work at 5 am  and therefore work in the afternoon. It hasn’t been an problem so far because I’ve been off sick and could write when I felt up to it, except for today. I have had to write this afternoon and it hasn’t been as productive as I would have liked. However, since I am aware that this is a problem I can try to work around it.

When I go back to work I shall make notes on my breaks in my notebook and then when I get home I shall type the notes up and hope that this stimulates my writing. I am determined not to give up this year.

As for my novel’s progress, I have my main characters together in the place I need them to be and their next steps are forming in my head. I have an overall plan but it is the detailed steps in between that is taking the time. I think this novel is going to be a few more than 50,000 words. I feel that I am only just finishing the beginning portion of my plan, there is still the middle and end thirds to write yet.

Well, I’m going now, so good luck with your writing, and I shall be back next Sunday with another update.

Bye

Rose

xXx

 

NaNoWriMo – First update

Well four days in and after a marathon writing session that lasted in to the early hours of the morning – I found my muse and wasn’t giving up until my shoulder, wrist and hand hurt – I have managed to get myself ahead of my schedule. I was going for 2000 words a day, meaning I would be up to 8000 words today. Instead I have written 9412. I already know that the first couple of thousand words will go in the first edit. They were just my starting point and everything in that bit can be worked in with more subtlety later. I now have all my main characters where I want them, and now I shall let them get on with it.

Well, I’d best be off, more writing to do, among other things.

I’ll be back next Sunday with another update. Good luck everyone,

Rose

xXx

NaNoWriMo – I’m trying again this year

I had planned to post this on Thursday, when I wrote it, but the WordPress App on my phone wouldn’t play nicely, so I’m posting it now, while I have access to the internet on my laptop.

‘Last year I participated in NaNoWriMo but didn’t make much progress, so this year I’m trying again. I think the problem last year was that I didn’t prepare well enough. Or at all actually, so this year I have. I’m going to use the month to work on the idea that first arose in my short story ‘Summer Wine’. I have made some plans, plotted it out, made notes of ideas as they’ve come to me, and so this month I will finally be putting it all together to get the first draft written.

I normally write short stories; I start longer works but don’t seem to finish them, so that’s the goal – get it finished.

Wish me luck. And good luck to everyone who is taking part in NaNoWriMo, and any of the other writing challenges taking place this month.’

I’d like to add that I will be updating about my progress every Sunday.

Bye,

Rose

xXx