“The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter. ’tis the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning.” Mark Twain

What NaNo Did - A Goals/Progress Post

In case you don't know, NaNo is National Novel Writing Month - when a bunch of crazy people (including me - this year for the first time) attempt to write 50,000 words of a novel between November 1 and November 30. It runs every year, and ended last night. Click here for more info.

Going into it, I really didn't know what to expect. I didn't think it would be easy by any stretch, but I figured I'd be able to manage it - or at least come close.

So how did I do? Why don't we start with my November goals, taken from last month's goals/progress post?
  1. Keep up on the blogging I "need" to do (FaithWriters blog three times a week, Monday Manna, a2z, and my three group blog posts) minimum. Anything else is gravy. (some of this I've prewritten before November)
  2. Write 50,000 words in Handmaiden to a Princess (yes - typing that TOTALLY freaked me out!).
  3.  Do NOT read every blog on my google reader (this COULD be a goal that's hard to keep, believe it or not - but if I don't, there's NO way I can get the writing done I need to!).
Well, I did manage to keep up with my "required" blogging - and even managed one "gravy" post. So I'm pleased in that department. And as for #3? Also a success. With only a few exceptions, I only read the posts from my If I could only read ten blogs list - as is evident from the SEVEN HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-NINE posts from November that I deleted from my google reader so I could start fresh in December. (Can't wait to get back to reading my friends' posts again!)

And then there's goal #2. The one that freaked me out when I typed it. AND the one I did not meet.

In fact, I came just under 20,000 words short. Check out my word count for the month:





But I learned. A LOT. And I now have some pretty serious questions to ponder. They include, but are not limited to: ** I write best (or at least fastest!) when I am "competing" - whether it is against others or the clock.** I need to look at small goals (baby steps, yanno?) rather than larger ones. ** If I set big goals, I WILL get overwhelmed, and possibly freak out. (yeah - I know this one from experience) ** For me, writing a novel is very, VERY hard. A lot of things about it are completely contrary to my natural tendencies to write. ** My previous statement MAY mean I am not meant to be a novel writer. But it may not. Seeking God about this. ** Fifty thousand words in the month of November is possible - though not in any way easy - for me. (yeah, I know I didn't make it. But once I learned some of the other lessons, I realize that if I had used some of the strategies from the beginning, it likely would have been doable). ** I have a lot to learn about writing well. A LOT. ** I am a plotter with slight pantser tendencies. I should have plotted more beforehand. ** Open Office counts "open quotes" as a word on its own in its word count (hassle!)

And that's just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. It was definitely a good experience.

But what about December, you may ask? Well, here are my goals.
  • Three blog posts a week minimum
  • 10k in Handmaiden To A Princess
  • Start working on "reworking "Ailing Body, Nourished Soul 
  • Get back into my "usual" routine
It seems there may be something else - but that's what I'm sticking with. Thanks SO much for reading, and for your support! Onward I go!


Traveling Rough Roads With God's Strength

10 comments:

  1. I'm proud of you for getting that much done. I decided not to NaNo this year and now I feel like I should have tried. Oh well, there's always next year!

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  2. Way to go! You did Nano month! Congrats :)

    I too need to revisit my writing goals and shine up the dusty disciplines that need to accompany...

    Thanks for sharing :)

    -Kim

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  3. Learning who you are and how you work best is a big accomplishment! I think it was a very profitable month for you. ((hugs))

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  4. I've never done Nano. Really need to try it one of these times. :-) Ah, the pressure! LOL But good job on all your goals!

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  5. Jo, you did fantastic! 30k is great!! And learning what you did is FABULOUS!! Way to go, my friend!!

    Hugs!

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  6. Definitely, 30,000+ words is fantastic!
    Great job! Hugs!

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  7. You did a phenomenal job, PLUS you learned about yourself. I'd say it was a stellar month.

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  8. GREAT job, Jo! Of the six times I've done NaNo, I've only made 50K twice, but was a winner every time because I was doing my passion, writing fiction like crazy!

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  9. You learned quite a bit about yourself and your writing. That makes it a great month and a terrific experience! I didn't even try this year. Only had fourteen days free in November. Can't write 50K words in fourteen days. :(

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  10. Congratulations, Jo!!! 30,000 words on your novel PLUS the blogs you wrote SURELY added up to over 50,000. Either way, you're a winner in my book. (pun intended. snicker.)
    Love
    Cat

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