I’m participating in NaNoWriMo as planned. And for the first time ever, I may well ‘win’ – which means I’ll reach the required 50,000 words during November. (I’m up to 39,951!)
I love writing and I’ve talked about this several times before… but I usually struggle for ideas, so the notion of a novel has always been a bit out of my reach.
Instead I’ve blogged and written about stuff playing on my mind. In fact, the idea for the one novel I started several years ago came to me out of the blue. I enrolled in a Year of the Novel course and set about writing my novel. I stalled at 30,000 words, decided it was crap and shelved it.
Since then I’ve said – on several occasions – I wanted to participate in NaNoWriMo but November usually rolls around and I’ve had absolutely no idea what I might write about. This year I decided to pursue something I’ve pondered off and on for a while though I had no real plan (ie. the first couple of days were spent with me trying to come up with character names and the like!).
The ‘thing’ I’m writing is crime fiction (which is what I love most to read) though it’s pretty crappy. My ‘novel’ is essentially about someone who’s released from jail (cleared by evidence) years after her incarceration and who then sets about trying to identify potential suspects for the crime – knowing she’ll never really be free until someone else is found guilty. So… nothing new and amazing. (And – as an aside – I strongly suspect this non-opus will never see the light of day! But that’s okay. It’s the idea of getting through 50,000 words which is spurring me on.)
I was about 10,000 words into my novel – written in first person from the point of view from the accused – when I realised that I wanted to inject a bit more of ‘me’ into the novel.
Source: favim.com
Anyone who reads my blogs will know that I’m kinda sarcastic and self-deprecating. My lead character wasn’t like that so I decided her offsider (a PI) would be the smart-talking witty type. But then I realised… I’m not in his head. HE can’t be offering up sarcastic, snide and insightful comments as we’re not supposed to know what he’s thinking!
Hmmm… so maybe there’s no place for MY voice in this novel. Maybe I’ll have to find some other vehicle in which to vent my bitchy spleen – an alternative novel (!!!!) or perhaps I can just continue to do so in my blog posts.
But then I pondered some more. Many of the novels I love, I do so because of the ‘voice’ of the narrator. Whether it be the child’s voice in Room or Lost & Found ; the dottery dementia’d mind of Maud in Elizabeth is Missing ; or the droll humour of the likes of Robert B Parker or even Janet Evanovich.
I know not everyone is a fan of the ‘stream of consciousness’ writing which comes from some characters but – as I just said in my review of We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves – the author nailing a character’s voice helps me get into their heads and I can experience what I’m supposed to. First hand.
So maybe my lead character (the accused) can be snarky and funny. Either way I’m telling myself this is just a first draft. I’m dumping words on the page in various chunks (my novel’s set in 2-3 timeframes). I can decide later if my protagonist is going to be a fast talking sarcastic extrovert or a diffident and controlled observer.
Any hints?
If you’re a reader, what do you like in your main characters? Strength? Wit? Like-ability?
November 25, 2014
I really enjoyed reading about your thought process here.
I was told in school my whole life that I was a talented writer, which is different than an author sometimes. I’ve always wanted to write a novel– for myself, just to say I did– for my bucket list, but now that I’m early retired on disability and have much more time…. the ideas won’t come..
I can’t get a handle on what main topic I want to write about, or even more frustrating, what genre! I too love crime novels, but since I don’t know anything about the criminal process I would have to do a ton of research.
Thanks for sharing your writing process and best of luck. Even if no one reads it but your close friends and family, you can feel good that you accomplished something huge!
November 25, 2014
Oh yes, I’m the same. I love writing but I just don’t seem to be able to come up with the inspiration I need for a novel. It’s interesting as I HATE reading non-fiction, but that’s all I seem capable of writing (via my blog).
Deb
November 25, 2014
Oh Yay! That’s great. First drafts really are dumping grounds for thoughts- it starts to come together in the 2nd or 3rd pass through. I love your blog voice, so hope there’s a place for it in there. You’ll make it to 50k…I know it.
November 25, 2014
Thanks Jo. I wasn’t sure until the weekend but really made the effort to get stuck in and keep going.
November 25, 2014
Bravo you, I’m really impressed. You have far more persistence and focus for writing than I do! Making the space in your day for what we each deem important takes courage and resilience. Honestly, well done xoxo
November 25, 2014
It’s been a little stressful. I actually spend most of my day at my desk, but forcing myself to do this (rather than blog reading and writing etc) has been a challenge.
November 25, 2014
Good for you Deb! I am impressed by anyone who can write a novel. So how long do you actually get to write your 50,000 words? In my main characters – I guess I like to get inside their heads – see their thought process, their vulnerabilities etc I hope you share some of it when you are finished!! 😉
November 25, 2014
NaNoWriMo is a month long writing challenge Min – the goal being to write 50,000 on a new novel over the month. Of course most novels are longer than that but it gives you a good start. Most writers I’ve heard speak say their first draft can take months and months (or longer!).
November 25, 2014
Interesting Deb, good on your for writing a novel. I haven’t participated in NaNoWriMo but am just about finished editing my novel… so time-consuming and challenging but stimulating.
Re heroes, heroines, I like them with a bit of quirk and a flaw or two, but that said, she/he must be kind. I have to like her.
Good luck with it! 🙂
November 25, 2014
Thanks Lee-Anne. Well done on the novel. I doubt mine will have a second or third draft, but you never know. The editing process must be a laborious one!
November 25, 2014
I like quirkiness in a main character. Someone who’s not perfect – because who amongst us is? It helps me identify more with them and once that happens it’s an easy read. I hope you finish your novel because it sounds like something I’d like to read.
November 25, 2014
Thanks Char. I think the thing that’s worried me the most is that I feel absolutely no kinship with any of my characters. (In fact I started a second novel in the first week because of that fact. But I’ve gone back to this and hung in there…)
November 25, 2014
I can relate, my idea for NaNoWriMo was kinda raw- in the sense that I had an idea, or ideas rather, but I stalled a few times as I tried to decide where to go next. 🙂 I probably won’t finish this year (running out of time) but it’s been an invaluable experience. And hey, words are on paper now. It’s a start.
I agree with the commenter who said she has to like the character. I tend to be that way too. I think you’re right on about getting the words out, you’ve got time later to tweak it. Good luck finishing!
November 25, 2014
Thanks Greg and you’re absolutely right… any number of words on paper is better than none!
November 25, 2014
I don’t think I have to like a character, I just have to be fascinated or entertained by them. How heart breaking to shelve something after 30 000 words. Lots of writers go back to things after years you know. Good luck with this one you trouper you. You’re doing fabulously!
November 26, 2014
Thanks muchly! xx
November 25, 2014
LOVE that you’re powering on because as you write the decision might be made for you! How many words is an actual novel? How many chapters is 50,000 words? I love strong characters but also those with a bit of cynicism thrown in for good measure!
November 26, 2014
Depends on the length of chapters re 50,000 words, but a book’s a bit more than that. (Like 80,000 ish). Of course fantasy genre books are often 150,000 words (ish).
November 25, 2014
Yes, all of the above please 🙂 I think it is absolutely amazing that you have written so many words already and are so close to your target. I really admire everyone doing NaNoWriMo. What an achievement. Visiting via #teamIBOT
November 26, 2014
Thanks so much. It’s the first time I’ve continued past week 1. Though I never usually have any idea of what I’ll write before the month starts. It will be nice to ‘win’ for a change!
November 26, 2014
I would like a bit of sarcasm and wit in a character, because I find that a lot more fun.
I like relatable characters. And imperfect ones. I get frustrated with people being too good. I suspect some of mine are in a way, and they need roughing up a little bit. But there’s time for that.
November 26, 2014
Ah yes, I need to keep reminding myself this first cut is a VERY rough draft. I’m using Scrivener and the advantage of that is that I’m essentially dumping bits in segments. If I want to continue with it down the track I’ll need to do a lot of work on the flow!
Deb
November 26, 2014
Oh good work! I signed up on the 1st of November then went, “Nah…Too overwhelming…” I think I like a bit of vulnerability in my main characters as well as strength and wit. Look forward to hearing about your novel’s progress!
November 26, 2014
Thanks Grace. I’m feeling confident I’ll make the 50,000. Once I get started each day I’m fine, but I always find too many other things to do! (I’m lucky that I only work part-time though!)
November 26, 2014
I honestly think that once you find your feet with novel writing you will be amazing. You are such a good story teller. Good on you for pursuing this! I don’t have to love the character they just have to interest me. Although usually it is easier to get into a book if they have some redeemable qualities or something relatable.
November 26, 2014
Thanks Jess. I’m mostly the same and need some way of relating to a main character…
November 26, 2014
I so admire anybody who can write fiction. I love reading it but I just can’t write it.
November 26, 2014
I’m pretty much the same sadly Janet!
November 26, 2014
When I’m reading, I love a character whose shoes I could easily step into. So I would definitely say for me, it would be the sarcastic extrovert.
Deb, this is so exciting that you’ve jumped into a novel, something I could only dream of. You know it will be completed when it needs to be, try to enjoy the process. Because not everyone has the guts and determination to even start.
Go at your own pace, and do it in your own time xx
November 27, 2014
Thanks Lisa. I like to think I’ll continue with it – even if it never sees the light of day AFTER the end of November…
November 27, 2014
LOL I did Nanowrimo back in 2008 for the first (and so far last) time and it was essentially a loosely-disguised memoir or my hedonistic 20’s. I still can’t bring myself to read it back. There is so much I cringe at!
November 27, 2014
I completely understand… not sure this will ever see the light of day!
November 27, 2014
For me the character has to be well fleshed out. I have to feel like the character is the voice in my head as I’m reading and that I could picture them in real life.
November 27, 2014
Ah yes, that issue of voice – I can relate!