National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) is officially over. I'm pretty sure that just about anyone that knows me or reads my blog is aware that I participated and won at this event by completing a 50,000-word novel. How exciting is that? Congratulations to everyone else that participated in the event. Regardless of word count, you've accomplished an amazing feat.
A friend recently asked me if I would do it again, and without hesitation, I answered a resounding "yes." The lessons learned through the month long event were invaluable, requiring discipline and the support of my family. The fact that I now have a drafted novel is incredible to me. I wouldn't want to trade the experience …but now what?
I've got a plan that I will share with you here, and you can respond in the comments to tell me if you think it will work. My plan is simple, I think. During December, without reading my NaNoWriMo novel at all, I am working on character biographies and plotting. These are details I didn't have time for before or during NaNoWriMo, so I'm taking the time now. I want to nail down the personalities that make each character unique in my story, and then work on tightening and strengthening the plot and sub-plots.
There is much in my NaNoWriMo novel that will need to come out, but many places where I will need to embellish. My goal is to take a fresh look in January, with stronger characters and plot points, and begin a rewrite.
Whether you consider yourself a WriMo or a NaNo'er (I've seen them both touted), what are your plans now that the month is over? Are you going straight into a rewrite? Are you sitting your manuscript aside for a time to gracefully age? Who's in it with me for next year?
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6 comments:
That sounds like a very good plan. I was thrilled to see that you were participating in NaNo and writing again.
Thanks for the comment and I hope to have a good enough draft to share with the HFC group soon. It was such a great experience - and now I truly feel like a writer.
Congrats Sheryl. It is great that you have such a good attitude about it coming right out of it. Lol. Last year, right after, I was like, "I will never do that again!" but then soon after I realized how worth it it really was. :)
But look at what you've accomplished Dorlana! I can't wait until your print book comes out!
This is a good plan. It keeps the story alive and growing.
Thanks John - I'm finding it difficult this month to spend time doing much other than holiday things (shopping, baking, parties, etc). I hope I'm ready to begin my re-write come January! Thanks for visiting my blog!
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