Brass Tacks
Okay – it's time to get real.
I have not finished my outline for NaNoWriMo. I have never finished my outline in time for NaNoWriMo in the 3 other years I have attempted it. I "won" the first 2 years (winning meaning I wrote at least 50,000 words) and bombed last year with my overly-ambitious attempt to write an entire collection of at least 10 stories in the month.
So, what do I do? Freak out? Get verklempt? Nope. No time for it. I'll do as much as I can over the weekend and work with what I have.
Generally, I find that I can write 1000 words an hour (more when I'm in the zone or less when, heaven forbid, blocked). If I can at least stay on track to do the minimum of 1666 words per day, I should have at least some time to brainstorm (if I need to) about the ending of the book and jot down some notes at the end of each day for the next day's writing session.
Plus, part of the fun of NaNo are those magical moments when something completely spontaneous happens. One can only plan so much. You never know when your characters are going to do something completely impromptu. And I don't want to plan them into a corner. So, I'm going to try not to stress about it and use that as a positive. Maybe my characters will surprise me.
I'm taking a page of the Pantser book, my friends. As a card-carrying Plotter, this is a revelation. Exciting days ahead, I tell you!
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Now I want to write a 10 story collection instead. Darn you.
I think I could have done it if I had all my stories in line. It was just so much prep (and maybe further evidence I should adopt more of the Pantser mindset).
Not that I’m condoning the madness – but it’s kind of like #10bythen – right? And I seem to remember you having some success in that avenue. 🙂
There’s definitely a happy medium to be found in there between pantsing and plotting. Some books require absolute plotting (complex epic fantasy with byzantine political issues!) some require that you just sit down and puke. I had only the vaguest of outlines last time I did nano–and I do mean vague.
I totally sold that book. So yeah. You got this.