Thematic Consistency?

Writing last night, I found myself going down a melancholic path with my character that was real, and reflected my own mood. Yet, thinking about it today, I'm not sure it's what I want my character to be - An unlikeable sod who is always worrying about how he's perceived or if he's "good enough".

I'm not going to change it now, though. I'm going to finish the story, then go back and edit as necessary. I'm just starting to become scared at the prospect of tackling that process. While I'm closer than I've ever been to "done" with this story that's been rattling around in my head for years, I'm starting to realize just how far away from done I am. The reality is better than the fantasy of thinking "it's easy, I can start anytime", as with reality I'm realizing that if I wait, it may never get done. But the reality is also sobering, and making me count the cost. Also good. Sometimes painful.

Press on,
-Nas

Tiny Steps

So, November - What happened back there, eh?  I didn't win NaNoWriMo, but I did win something else, if it can be considered a victory.

As I started to get burned out, I was looking for encouragement, and came across an article interviewing a published author/teacher whose whole routine is writing 250 words a day, minimum. He pointed out that even at the bare minimum, 250 words a day will yield 70,000 words over a years time. No small feat, though NaNoWriMo aims at 50,000 in a month.

I adopted his suggestion, and have been working diligently on my book and making good, if slow, progress. But progress to be sure.

So, to be clear, it's not "easy". It is doable. However, I've come to the place in the last week or two where I'm putting down just enough words to cover my goal, as I'm struggling to direct my story towards the next big event in a meaningful way. My concern is that I'm going to flush a lot of what I've been doing over the last couple weeks down the toilet in editing once I get past it, but that's fine, I suppose.

Still, since beginning this regime, I've had many (most) days go well over 250 words. Sometimes, it all just flows. But 250 allows me to be consistent without worrying that when I sit down to write, I'll have to be at the computer for hours. I can usually get my words down in about a half-hour, and if I'm rolling, can take more time as needed; But if I'm struggling, I can put it down guilt free, knowing I've pushed through more of the muck that just needs to be hammered out.

If you are considering setting a writing goal, but have yet to start for fear of failure, please allow me to suggest the "250 word a day" program. It's more than nothing, and if you scrap it all, you're at the same place as if you never did anything.

But you won't scrap it all.

Press on,
-Nas

Hero Status

My friend, who is also working on NaNoWriMo, was telling me about his story, and talked about a character being chastised for preaching platitudes and "big gestures", when doing good needs to be in the everyday and small things. I liked that. A lot.

Because, when you are faithful to do good in the small things, you can be trusted to do good in those times when it is a "big deal". Not only can others trust you, but you can trust yourself, which is important - To not be paralyzed by doubt.

One of my characters revealed that he does not lie. Ever. That's been fun to write, because it demands I creatively craft conflict that is believable; that the character can get out of without lying, where lying would seem natural.

When I put it that way, it doesn't seem that cool. I guess I'm tired.

13,494/50,000

Press on.
-Nas

Old Stories and New Inspiration

I submitted an entry in Glimmer Train's January Very Short Story contest. For $15 entrance fee, I uploaded a 3,000 word piece that I've had for a while.

So, the question is, will I take rejection like a man or will being rejected make me throw the idea of writing out the window, only to be picked up again when I venture outside? I don't know. I was praying the other day about whether or not my desire to write was something worth desiring, and realized that even if I was writing for a living, until I learn to become content, I'll never be happy anywhere, no matter what I'm doing.

I also asked that the desire be taken away if I'm not supposed to bother, or be reinforced if I'm supposed to pursue this dream. You see the length between posts? Time, time, time.

On the other hand, if I'm not rejected, if by some chance I win...will I take winning like a man, and look at it for what it is; Encouraging, but not self-defining. That is, one success does not mean I get to boast and get lazy and lose my mind. So too, neither does one failure.

Nothing for it but to wait. But not wait to write again.

Milestones: Kick-Off

Materials acquired:
-Pilot G-2 07 gel pens (My favorite for handwriting)
-100-sheet College Ruled Composition Books (25-cents each!)(And can be stickered and drawn-on all over!!)

Plan:
For each idea or story, I will start a composition book that will house all the outlines, characters, plot points and miscellaneous sundries that will be required to see the story/project to completion. All ideas will be cataloged in these primarily...while notes might be jotted elsewhere, I will compile them here.

Yeah, well...I can buy the stuff, but if I don't sit down and write, all I have is more stuff. However, Project 1 is underway. Next step...gather all relevant notes from previous notebooks and gather them in the new one. If I can find them...