I'll start out by saying that I intended to write the 50,000. I ended up with TWO novels and 90,000 words. I didn't outline. I'm a panster. But I did write a two sentence synopsis. WHEW. That was tough! So when Nov. 1st arrived, I already had a plan in my head.
Wake up early and write until my fingers were raw. NAH! I decided to write before homeschool. Early morning is when I'm my freshest. The MOST important secret to my madness? CONSISTENCY. Sticking with the early morning plan. There were two hospital days with Christopher in those 20 days too. I couldn't write on those days. So it was actually 18 days. I woke up every day with one early morning goal. WRITE. I timed myself the first day. That's when I discovered that I could write 5000 words each morning. COLOR ME SHOCKED.
So on it went. I wrote 5000 words every day. With 18 days of 5000 words and two novels finished, I'm asked how I did it. My answer? That wise adage, BIC. And consistency. No excuses made for why I couldn't write on a specific day. I woke up, poured coffee and typed. I didn't wake up, check email, visit FB, look in on twitter, etc, etc. Funny, I always thought that they were my writerly duties to be performed BEFORE writing. I learned during my NaNo write in that they are excuses. Go figure.
I am still relishing in my victory. But soon comes the cold hard reality of REVISIONS. So I will kick back and give myself the thumbs-up in the mirror every morning until January sets in.
Have you ever done NaNoWriMo? Ever thought you could write that many words in Nov? Or have you? Do tell it all.
Wow! How awesome how productive you were. That must feel so good. Congrats!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations amigo! You are an inspiration. I knew you could do it. :) I agree, you should relish the accomplishment for a bit. Will cheer you on with the revisions when that time comes.
ReplyDeleteox Karen
Congratulations! Wow, that is a double win. You must be a fast writer. At the pace I type, it would take me fourteen to fifteen hours to type five thousand words.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, thanks, my friend. It was a whirlwind month. It does feel good.
ReplyDeleteAmigo, I know you will cheer me on. You're the absolute best. I am savoring right now. January will come soon enough. xoxo
ReplyDeleteHey Alex, Thanks so much! I am a fast typer. The words just seemed to wash out this NaNo. But my fingers were sore by Nov. 20th.
ReplyDeleteI am SO excited for you and can't wait to be a reader for you!
ReplyDeleteI'm a morning writer too and when I get into the zone, fb and blogging come SECOND.
Bish, thank you, my friend. I am giving myself the thumbs up right now. *wink* Morning writing seems easier and fresh without all the pressures of the day. You know?
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for you to be a reader for me either.
Wow, Robyn! That is AWESOME! CONGRATS!!
ReplyDeleteHaha, thanks Susanne. Wish me luck on the revising. (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo,Robyn! You're my hero! :-) Awesome job!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Congratulations, Robyn
ReplyDeleteCheryl, Woohoo! Give yourself the thumbs-up in the mirror. You won too. YaY us!!!
ReplyDeleteTracy, thanks, cuz. It was a mountain I wanted to climb. (hugs)
ReplyDeleteYou are some kinda amazing, Robyn! I need to learn from you: write first before I do anything else. My problem is that I check email and FB first and then get sidetracked for half a day answering mail, visiting and commenting on blogs, and catching up with friends on FB. :P Bad Teresa.
ReplyDeleteYou are my hero, girlfriend! <3
I used to do that too, Teresa. But I realized that is NOT the way to go. Save that stuff for after the writing is done for the day. Or during lunch. Make sure you write first. The writing comes before the homeschooling too. And don't forget. You're going to write poems for MOP on some days in January.
ReplyDeleteRobyn, now I know you are Superwoman! Amazing. I am so proud, and so happy for you. What a ripper!!!! Congratulations :-)
ReplyDeleteYvette, love that nickname. I must have the family call me that. Oh, family.... Hehe. Thanks, sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteRobyn, I am so very proud of you. Especially with everything else you have going on. You inspire me to write more!
ReplyDeleteMWAH, Susan! I heart you, pal. I do wish I could have that special mindset. If it happens great...if not, that's great too. I am trying to get to that place. But I am glad I have a lot to work on. It's you who inspire me (talking about a lot going on).
ReplyDeleteAnd climb it you did! Hugs back. :-)
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ReplyDeleteOops! I used the wrong account. Had to delete previous comment.
ReplyDeleteI bow to you and your word-count awesomeness. I love it even more because your "outline" sounds like what I've got in my head before I begin a manuscript.
There are people who struggle to make the 50k in 30 days... and then there's Rockin' Robyn.
That is fantastic and inspirational. Big ol' congrats.
ReplyDeleteHoly cow! That's awesome! I dare say you did more than win NaNo...you defeated it! ;)
ReplyDeleteTracy,
ReplyDeleteTheresa, Rockin' Robyn...yes. (I felt the need to show this particular comment to the kids.) It's Ivy's birthday and she rolled her eyes. *wink* Hey, we pansters have to stick together. Right? Outlining! PSHAW! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteHolly, much appreciated, pal. *waves*
ReplyDeleteHehehe, thanks, Chrys. That comment made me walk on air all day. <3 You're the best!
ReplyDeleteWay to go, BBF! That is quite an accomplishment. 5,000 words is a lot! You should be ver proud of yourself. I know I am! Mwah!
ReplyDeleteBBF, where have you been? In your drawing/writing cave? I have missed you so. Thanks for your sweet words. xoxo
ReplyDeleteColor me impressed!
ReplyDeleteLiza, hehe. Thanks so much. You made me giggle. I hope your Thanksgiving was great!
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome! Congratulations on getting so much written in 20 days. I love that you learned you could write 5,000 words a day if you put your BIC. :) I have never done NaNo, but have been curious about it. I definitely think BIC works, and NaNo sounds like a good way to force that to happen!
ReplyDelete~Jess
Jess, yep. I learned that the old BIC really works. Add to that the NO checking emails, facebook, twitter, etc. I wonder how many writers facebook has brought down? Maybe you'll do NaNo next year and we'll be NaNo buddies.
ReplyDeleteWow, you're an inspiration Robyn. I thought checking emails and Facebook were writing tasks too :) Maybe I should do more of the BIC too. Good luck with the editing. I'll look forward to hearing what happens next with your manuscript xx
ReplyDeleteFantastic, Robyn. :) That is awesome work. I know about the revisions--I have a lot to do if I've drafted without looking back.
ReplyDeleteHi RObyn .. yes the 'work' before the emails, comments et al - little FB and Tweeting .. Congratulations though - so pleased you've got two novels out of the November month .. amazing ... and no weekends - sounds good to me.
ReplyDeleteI hope Christopher's hospital visits helped .. that's not an easy side of life ...
So pleased for you - excellent news .. cheers Hilary
Hey Nola! Thank you, my friend. Much appreciated. Yeah, the BIC is just so dang important. Who knew? *wink* And the emails, FB, etc. just have to wait. Darn! Hehehe. xoxo
ReplyDeleteMedeia, thank you, pal. Interestingly enough, I have the A Path to Publishing videos and while writing these novels I had what I've learned so far in the back of my head. So revisions will be MUCH easier.
ReplyDeleteHil, I KNOW you're pleased with me. You are the best! I heart you. The hospital visits are a drag, if we could just figure out the reason for the headache. It's now 19 months and counting. Most Sturge-Weber Syndrome patients have the headache. For a few, the headache stopped after a several years on its own. But not sure with Christopher. Sometimes I think he'll always have it. xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Robyn! I like your thinking process. You are right about how many of us check FB, Twitter, etc before we write. I have to whip myself, ok not really, but I (actually it's you who reminded me) have to remind myself that I have to write first. Then I can see how others are doing in the cyber world.
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Robyn! Congrats on your success, and thanks for the reminder to never check e-mail, etc. in the morning.
ReplyDeleteBIC = butt in chair?
Romelle, woot woot! Write first woman! THEN check your inbox and all that FB group stuff. ;-) Glad I could remind you. BIC! YEAH!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susan. How have you been? BIC = butt in chair. YEAH! Keep it in the chair and write on. Never, never check online stuff before you write. Never, never. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing! It's so true to find that time during the day when you are the least likely to be interrupted/distracted.
ReplyDeleteAWESOME!!! Congrats! Maybe I'll try it next year! :D
ReplyDeleteI am impressed! Way to go.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, <3 you. Distraction is our enemy, woman!!
ReplyDeleteErik, it can be done. They have teen NaNo. Since you'll be a teen really soon you should try it.
ReplyDeleteJ. thanks. I figured out that checking emails and stuff is no good for NaNo.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on this great feat! I know I should do the same--walk away from the email et al. But it's such a nice way to wake up with that perfect cup of coffee. Plus it makes me feel like I'm doing something writing related. Hmmm...sounds like rationalization.
ReplyDeleteDeb, hehe. I know the feeling. But I've changed. For me, it's the writing with that perfect cup of coffee. But it's okay if you can write after. Rationalization. Yeah.
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