Light at the end of the Nano Tunnel

I have not found much time to write in the blog this November, even though I enjoy the chance to talk about process and progress on here with anyone else trying to write more words as part of National Novel Writing Month.

My current total is 44,184 words, yahoo! It feels as if I will, more or less, reach the end of this novel by the time I break 50,000, even though we all know that 50,000 isn’t exactly the length of a typical novel. I don’t even think it’s the right ball park for a young adult novel, which is my current project. Still, it is nice to feel like I’ve written from start to finish, even if it’s a very rough and short draft of a novel.

Once again, though, the process of writing a novel in a month (add air quotes) has yielded many insights into what could or should happen to my novel. I also created a folder in the Research section of my Scrivener file labeled “Fixes for Later.” As I fast draft this novel, I realize there are some parts that need changes, some minor names or background fodder, and some more significant. There’s no time now, but I try to capture those ideas as I go since I will likely forget later.

I hope those of you who have aimed to write more this month have made progress, regardless of word count. And let us all cross our fingers as we enter (at least in the U.S.) holiday season that we will still get a few more words written. In my case, here’s hoping I find time to squeeze in 6000 more by November 30th. Part of me hopes I knock it out in the next day or so, but I have to admit, the secret to my success this year has been to take it slow & steady, averaging 1700 words a day.

Write on, everyone.