National Novel Writing Month: I’m a winner

 

What is National Novel Writing Month?  Every November Writers across the world participate in what is known as NaNoWriMo, where within one month each writer is to write a 50,000 manuscript.  To accomplish this task, the writer must write at least 1,667 words per day for 30 days.  The NaNoWriMo website is set up where the writers have their own page, a short synopsis of their manuscript, a chance to meet other writers and buddy up, and a slew of other capabilities to support the writer during the project.  This way each writer, as the month progresses can update their word count and keep track of their buddies online. 

What have I learned by participating?

First I learned the value of a program like this.  I think it is a marvelous way for other writers, a very solitary job, to connect with other writers and check on their progress and be encouraged. 

Second I learned the value of discipline and what it takes to be a writer.  It takes discipline to set your behind down and to place your fingers on the keyboard and to continue a story where you have no idea where it’s going to go.  It takes faith in your abilities to allow the process to come forth.  To give into the unknown and to watch as your fingers type, the story unfolds much to you as to the reader who reads it for the first time.   In sitting everyday for one month, I became so enthralled with how and which way the story was going to go that it kept my interest.  After the month is over and I have my manuscript my mind is continuing the story.  Filling out the details of each characters and will continue during the editing process. 

I have stated before, to be a writer is more than just putting words on a page.  It means to persevere even when you are tired, it means to develop a story from start to finish, and put your heart and soul in the project for that month.  It means to lovingly take a name and shape it into a character that the reader will come to know, care about and root for.  It means to draw the reader in and entertain them, to cause them to turn each page in anticipation of the next scene.  It means to convey a message of value, such as moral, good verses evil, ext…

When I first decided to participate I was unsure if I had the courage to start and finish a project.  The project I had in mind I had for quite some time.  I had written a manuscript, and while doing the back story for the world in which this manuscript is set in, I realize that two important characters within that story had their own story to tell.  So I wrote their story.   Plus in telling their story, I was steeped into their world with even greater intimacy.  This knowledge will allow me to do a better job at the editing part of the manuscript.  To delve deeper into the psyche of each character and to really make the story and all it intricacies well rounded.

In conclusion in participating has given me more than I ever expected.  It is a journey that I plan to continue.   I am a National Novel Writing Winner and I am proud. 

What is next for me and my story?  Lots and lots of editing. 

Did you participate?  If you did share you story with us and enjoy the moment.  You are a winner.  For all writers in the world, you are all winners.  Until next time. 

Updates on National Novel Writing Month.

I have been participating in NaNoWriMo this month.  What is NaNoWriMo.  Every year writers across the world participate in writing a 50,000 word novel in 30 days. 

I heard that this was possible but never thought it would be true in my life.   I figured why not give it a try.  We are at the half point of the month and to get to 50,000 the participants need to be at or over the 25,000 word count.  At the moment I am at 25,038 and will do more tonight.  I am right where I need to be. 

What am I learning about this experience?

First and foremost I am learning discipline.  Every day I write on my laptop.  My particular story has multiple points of view, so I ask my characters what are they doing and how they feel?  Every day I continue those threads and plot lines.  I get into their heads and feel what they are feeling.  Sometime I have no words for what they feel.  So I have to get to the root of it and try as best as I can to explain. 

Second: for every day that I write I’m gaining in confidence, and in my ability to be a writer and to tell a story.  Each night while sleeping something occurs to me about the story, so I begin that thought and thread the next day.  The story and characters are becoming more rounded.  

Third I am in contact with other participants through emails.   Some are doing well; some are coming up with excuses.  I’m staying the course and being the strong one.  Usually it’s the other way around.  I’m usually asking others to support me. 

Forth I am so determined to finish this story because it is interesting.   The first manuscript that I wrote had two characters, that were key to the plot, but not much is told about them.  When doing their back stories for that manuscript, I thought it would be fun to write their stories and the world they came from for this manuscript; it’s another realm by the way.  So the world I created is wide open and becoming more real to me, which may open up for more stories.

There are some things that need to be set up at the ending of this story, in order to leap to the next story.  I’m not sure how that will happen but I leave that to my subconscious.  With each paragraph, plot and twist the story blossoms.  I am very excited and wondrous at the process.   Will give update next week. 

If you are participating in National Novel Writing Month and wish to share your experience we would love to hear them.  What have you learned about yourself during the process?  How has it changed you?  Will you keep writing if you didn’t achieve your goal?  Share, laugh, cry, grow and bond with other women.   Until next time.   

Books Review: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Series of Books. By Stieg Larsson.

Here’s what has been written about all three books. 

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.  608 pgs  

An international publishing sensation, Stieg Larsson’s Girl with the Dragon Tattoo combines murder mystery, family saga, love story, and financial intrigue into one satisfyingly complex and entertainingly atmospheric novel. Harriet Vanger, scion of one of Sweden’s wealthiest families, disappeared over forty years ago. All these years later, her aged uncle continues to seek the truth. He hires Mikael Blomkvist, a crusading journalist recently trapped by a libel conviction, to investigate. He is aided by the pierced and tattooed punk prodigy Lisbeth Salander. Together they tap into a vein of unfathomable iniquity and astonishing corruption.

The Girl who played with Fire. 832 pgs

Mikael Blomkvist, crusading journalist and publisher of the magazine Millennium, has decided to run a story that will expose an extensive sex trafficking operation between Eastern Europe and Sweden, implicating well-known and highly placed members of Swedish society, business, and government.But he has no idea just how explosive the story will be until, on the eve of publication, the two investigating reporters are murdered. And even more shocking for Blomkvist: the fingerprints found on the murder weapon belong to Lisbeth Salander—the troubled, wise-beyond-her-years genius hacker who came to his aid in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and who now becomes the focus and fierce heart of The Girl Who Played with Fire.As Blomkvist, alone in his belief in Salander’s innocence, plunges into an investigation of the slayings, Salander herself is drawn into a murderous hunt in which she is the prey, and which compels her to revisit her dark past in an effort to settle with it once and for all.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest: 912 pgs

Lisbeth Salander—the heart of Larsson’s two previous novels—is under close supervision in the intensive care unit of a Swedish city hospital. She’s fighting for her life in more ways than one: when she’s well enough, she’ll stand trial for three murders. With the help of her friend, journalist Mikael Blomkvist, she will have to prove her innocence, and to identify the corrupt politicians who have allowed the vulnerable, like herself, to suffer abuse. And, on her own, she will plot her revenge—against the man who tried to kill her and the government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life.Once upon a time, she was a victim. Now Lisbeth Salander is ready to fight back.

After reading what the reviews say are you interested?  You should be.  I read all three books in two weeks.  Notice how many pages each book has.  It was well worth the time.  Once you read the first page you are pulled into a very interesting story that will force you to turn the page until wee hours of the night.  Once you put the books down the characters will stay with you long after.  Wow is all I can say. 

Don’t wait to pick up your copy today.   If you’ve read the books and wish to share,

We would love to have your comments.  Share, laugh, grow and bond with other women.