(First, did you see I posted a giveaway blog post on Monday? If you missed it, go and enter!)
Now… anyone doing National Novel Writing Month this year?
I was.
My goal was not so much to win (reach 50,000 words) as it was to write something totally fun—just for me—and to see if I could get into a daily writing routine while working full-time. The short answer I quickly discovered was: Not with this story.
To be honest, this was desperately frustrating for me. For a handful of years, I published two or three books a year, and now I struggle to even finish one a year, let alone get it published (collaboration on Edit Your Novel, aside. Thank you, Stephanie and Shannon!)
This makes sense, though. My life is different now. Yet my having a job doesn’t take away the desire inside me to write stories.
I really, really, really just want to write all the stories, you guys.
Some of you might have seen the video I posted on my Instagram, sharing all the ways I had set myself up for success in writing a new story for National Novel Writing Month. Looking back, I realize I forgot two major things that have become part of my writing process over the years.
I forgot to build my storyworld.
Hi, my name is Jill Williamson, and I’m a storyworld first novelist. This means that I tend to create stories by first creating a storyworld in which they will take place.
For this NaNo story, I did not do this. I had a rough idea of what I was going to do, but when I sat down to write and brought my character into this fantastical place, I had nothing. I struggled to describe it. I struggled to understand its rules. I struggled to write my character interacting with it. Most of my words each day were discovery writing info dumps of fantasy world characters explaining to my character the rules of this world—since I was still figuring them out.
I “can” write a book this way. But not quickly. I hit my goal on days 1 and 3, but as each subsequent NaNo morning passed by without me hitting my word count or even coming close, I knew a big part of the problem was that my storyworld needed A LOT of work.
I forgot to plot in advance.
Like I said, I thought it would be fun to sit down and try to free-write the rough draft of this story, and while I had a handful of loose scene ideas, I didn’t have a plot outline. With many stories, I might have gotten away with trying to discovery write a first draft.
Not this one.
The thing is, I know what kind of writer I am. I’m a hybrid writer. I know I need some sort of outline to keep me on track. It doesn’t have to be much. (In fact, I shared how I do it with you all in this post.) Had I taken the time to plot out the elements of the three-act structure or even to write a synopsis of this story, I would have been able to continue. Without my outline, though, I was lost, staring at the screen, scraping each new moment from hours of rumination the night prior.
That’s a hard way to write a book. I could have kept at it, and I probably would have succeeded eventually, but not by the end of November.
Because I’ve written a lot of books, I knew I was in trouble by day four of NaNo. Work was crazy that morning, and since I didn’t know where I was going next with the story, it was easy to say, “Jill, let’s work a little extra this morning, then tonight you can try and brainstorm through that problem spot.
Yeah… that didn’t work so well. I knew what my problems were. No storyworld. No outline for story direction. And to top it off, my job is extra demanding. I work from home, so my work computer is right next to my personal computer. Pretty tempting to just lean over and pour some time into something that is going to leave me feeling accomplished.
Because I’ve written lots of books I knew that there was a better way to write this one. While it might not seem like it in this post (nobody’s perfect), I’m the kind of girl who likes to work smarter, not harder. So, I just kind of knew I needed to stop the madness of trying to write this book. I wasn’t heartbroken over my decision. I conducted my experiment, and I had the results. On the eight days I was able to write, I managed a total of 7888 words, which works out to 986 words a day. For someone who words 45+ hours a week, that’s not bad. This NaNo helped me discover that if I prepare well, I truly can write while working full time.
Keyword: if.
So, for the rest of November, I’m going to dive back in to my Hunger rewrite. That book releases in April, and it makes good sense to use the rest of this month to get a head start on that rewrite, so I don’t have to work as hard over my winter break.
If you are in a season where it is hard to write, I want to encourage you.
1. Give yourself lots of grace. Any words you write are a win.
2. Experiment. While seat-of-the-pantsing this particular novel did NOT work, it might work for a different story. It’s good for your brain and your creativity to try new methods every once in a while. You never know when you’ll find something that works really well for you.
The days I got the most writing done were the weekend days in which I set my timer for 20 minute intervals. I wrote for 20 minutes. Then I graded papers for 20 minutes. Wrote for 20. Graded for 20. Having the timer helped me increase my pace and kept my mind from drifting. And switching between writing and grading papers helped me feel like I was accomplishing a lot. It also made me eager each time to get back to writing. So when I sat down again, the words really flowed.
3. Find a writing friend. There is nothing quite like another person to keep you on track. I’ve always been extremely productive on writing retreats or even texting a friend to do a couple twenty-minute writing sprints. This doesn’t work for me if the story is broken, though.
4. Wait until the timing is right. This is the HARDEST one for me. I’m a worker bee. I’m seriously bored (and frustrated) when there is nothing to do. I can’t just watch TV. I have to be doing something while I watch TV. This is why taking a break for me is so challenging. But it’s equally hard to try and make myself write when the well is dry. Sometimes that means reading instead of writing. Sometimes it means journaling. And sometimes it means taking a total break and just doing non-writing related things.
I’m struggling right now with my writing. The words are there, in my head, but I lack any time to get them out. School has gotten too busy and so NaNo was the thing that had to go. But since I started a new draft of my story for NaNo, I plan to keep writing that draft over my Christmas break.
I totally understand, Macey! Sometimes you just have to say, “No.” Even to things you love. I’m glad you got a story started, at least. Hopefully you’ll find some good writing time over break.
Aaahhh, I just lost my whole comment. Why did I hit the backspace button? I didn’t realize my whole comment was accidentally highlighted. I don’t even know how I did that. It was kind of long and I don’t really feel like typing it all out again, so I’m just gonna try to hit the summary. Yes, I have struggled with writing before. In the beginning of this month, because school had suddenly become crazy, I didn’t have time to write. So, I set a plan of action into place. These past two days, I’ve been getting up an hour and a half earlier to write. It’s been a bit hard but all the writing I’ve been getting done makes it totally worth it. (Plus, I have my alarm set to Good Morning by Mandisa, and that song can get anyone outta bed. Even when they’ve only had seven hours of sleep and really just wants at least five more minutes…True story.) Normally when I finish a story, I give myself a long break. That way my mind is rested and ready for the next story.
I’m soooo sorry your story’s not quite working out the way you wished for it to. I hope eventually it all work out. Best of luck with your writing!!!
Okay, that wasn’t really a summary. Oh well! XD
I APPLAUD you for being able to get up earlier to write! I could never, especially with my total train wreck of a sleep schedule. I have, however, stayed up extra late to write. I tend to get most of my best ideas then. I guess I’m just a night owl. *shrug*
Thanks!!!! ? Oh, yeah, I’m a night owl and a morning bird. Soooo, my sleeping life is a bit weird.
Nice job setting that timer, and with a peppy song that gets you up and going too! I’m impressed, Issabelle. Keep at it!
I am doing a 15k sequel to one of my favorite books instead of a full-fledged NaNo project. I’m at 12.5k, which is really exciting and I hope to get the rest done before Thanksgiving break. I don’t really have a plan, so there are a LOT of things that will need editing. But it has been fun pushing myself to get words down and just discovering the story.
That’s awesome, Bethany! Way to go!
That’s impressive, Bethany!? You go, girl! 🙂
I’ve been in a writing-rough-patch… since late August/early September. School is busy, and even though COVID robs me of most of my social life, I still have some social life left, and I want to make the most of what I do have. I’ve been in the mood to write, and I have a ton of great ideas. The timing just doesn’t work. I long ago abandoned my goal of “second draft done by December” because it just wasn’t realistic. I do have a two month long winter break this year, so I’m hoping to use some of that time to pick up the slack.
Also, I totally relate to your “busy bee” mentality. I feel like I always have to be working on something. When I watch TV, I’m usually doing some sort of craft alongside it.
Just hang in there, Em Elizabeth!!! You’re doing better than you think!!!! And we’re all cheering you on!!!
Thank you so much! Same to you! 🙂
Oh, Em. I relate to this! I do hope that you can find some rest over winter break and get some writing done too. And best of all that the rest and the writing will bring you joy. <3
When I’m watching TV I sometimes do a craft too!!! (Like crochet or knitting.) 🙂
I’m doing nano, but I set my own number. There’s no way I’d get 50k.
It’s really hard, but an important lesson to learn that we have seasons and sometimes have to say no.
Yeah, I’m not doing NaNo, either. But I like to still set myself goals. Like I wanna have the second draft of my WIP done by the end of Nov. Best of luck with your writing!!!
So true, Tonya.
I’m also quitting NaNo. It just got so hard to write with my new schedule. I still hope to maybe get another 10-15,000 this month, but I’ve only written a few thousand words, really.
YOU’VE GOT THIS, ASHIE!!!!! Best of luck with your new writing goal!!! I hope you make it. You go, Girl!!!!!!
Thank you so much!
Sometimes our hopes are bigger than our reality, and that’s okay. We will get there one word at a time! Keep at it, when you can.
Ashie, you’ve written more than me. That’s great! Good luck with your writing.?
I stepped back from writing for awhile, because I wasn’t getting anywhere. My plot just kinda stuck. I focused on school instead, then, about two weeks later, I felt fine and ready to go again. I think my brain just needed some time to come up with new ideas. Also, I talk with my friends, and bounce ideas off them, and talking aloud really helps me to see whether an idea is good or not. Anyway, that’s what I’ve found. Those are some really helpful tips though! Thanks Jill!
Those are fabulous tips, Eva. There is nothing quite like being with writing friends. I haven’t been on a writing trip in far too long. Hopefully I’ll get to do lots next summer. *fingers crossed* Thanks for the tips!
Ooh, YES!! TOTALLY AGREE!!! I get a lot of ideas by talking things out with my writing friends.
My writing has been pretty iffy since school started back up. Things have been crazy busy at my house, from trying online school, having a litter of puppies, and then to a tornado forming in my backyard (pretty strange). I haven’t had much time for writing.
I set a goal to finish this round of edits on WIP by the end of the year, though. I’m about a third of the way done, so I really need to get to work! ?
A tornado! Wow. That might just have to go into your story. Or maybe another story! Good job setting goals, Riya. You will get there eventually. 🙂
Haha, thanks! I have to admit that when the tornado happened (though it didn’t pick my house up), I thought—or hoped—I had landed in Oz. It’s just another thing to add to my list of crazy things that have happened this year. Maybe I should add it to a story!
I needed to quit as well! I realized I didn’t like what I was writing and just abandoned it and plotted a fanfiction instead. It’s been stressful and sometimes it’s just easier to go to the familiar 🙂
May, that is SO true! Fan fiction is so fun for that, and therapeutic too! Feels good to type lots of words and be so entertained with familiar characters. I hope either your story will untangle itself or that you will be swept away by a new idea.
Ooh, fanfiction – that sounds cool! What is it a fanfiction of?
I’m having trouble at NaNo this year as well. Glad I’m not the only one ? I set a low goal, so I could work on this and my WIP at the same time. Like Ashie, I only have about a few thousand words in. Zoom School has been a nightmare lately, and honestly by the end of the day I just want to ignore writing and take a nice LONG nap. Also, any tips on how to make people fall in love? That’s my road block right now…
YOU’VE TOTALLY GOT THIS, ALLY!!!!!!! We’re all rooting for you!!! *waving pom poms* I know your question wasn’t directed toward me, but I say give them many interactions together. If you want the relationship to really develop well it needs to happen over a period of time. They need to have times of maybe talking and saying like personal stuff. (Like things that might keep secret from others.) That’s just my thoughts. I hope it helps!!!!
Hey, Ally! ? Yeah, you’re not the only one. I’m not doing NaNo at all. I’ve been busy with school. A few thousand words is great! That’s better that me. I don’t think I even have a thousand. Also, I don’t know of any tips about making characters fall in love, but what Issabelle said sounds about right. Make the characters spend time together.
Okay, so this kind of depends on if you WANT to write cliche romance or not. But try to avoid the cliches as much as possible. And let the relationship happen naturally. Maybe it starts with a crush or a first date, and then blossoms into something more. But let it happen in a way that seems true to life. Also, a lot depends on the age of the characters, like 15 year olds maybe shouldn’t be kissing on their first date, etc.
Sorry for your nightmare Zooming, Allie. I completely relate on the wanting to take a nap every day. For romance, I love my friend Hilary’s advice. I first learned it from her at a conference, then recapped it in this post. Perhaps it will inspire you some: https://goteenwriters.com/2016/11/09/writing-romance-that-works-a-guest-post-by-hillary-manton-lodge/
Thanks, Jill, for the encouragement. Yeah, I’ve struggled with writing. I don’t normally talk about how my writing is going because I know it’s not even close to how everyone else is going. My novel is still in the first chapter in the first draft. I planned a lot of the story out already but I don’t think the plot is all that good. So, I’m just stuck right now. Though, I have found a lot of encouragement on these writing blogs, including my own site, so that’s a good thing!
It’s completely normal to fear that you’re “behind” everyone else on your writing journey. But quite often they might not be as far along as you might think either, or maybe you’re not as far behind. Then again, I’m not really sure that the concepts of “behind” and “ahead” apply here, because all our paths are so different that it’s hard to accurately compare them. I’m sure you’re doing better than you think, and you’ll get past all the bumps in the road in time.
Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Em!!!!!!!! I’ll remember that.
Yes, comparing is always a dangerous game. Just try to have fun creating. If you’re not sure where it’s going, try getting to know your character better. And if you know your character really well, try getting to know some of the side characters. I find that the better I know my characters, the better I can write about them.