This week's main topic is a general getting to know you/introduction (are you participating? How's it coming, what are you writing, etc?) + writing "surprises" and unexpected moments that have come out of your journey so far!
Word count this week: ~ 5000
Some writerly discussions and pep talks I've loved:
Alexander Chee's pep talk on talent vs. work
Susan Dennard on magical cookies and on Heat Mapping and finding your rhythm
That is very interesting how your story is taking on a life of it's own and going it's own way. Your thoughts resonates with me b/c I've been doing something different with the NaNoWriMo challenge this year. I wrote a story about ten years ago that I was attempting to tear apart and remake it to submit for publication. But here's the thing, that story really doesn't want to be 'commercialized' and is refusing in essentials to be changed- minor changes and descriptive ramblings, yes, those I'm allowed to change, but not the characters or their actions. It's somewhat creepy and cool.
ReplyDeleteGood luck on further inspiration.
Haha. It's alive, IT'S ALIIIIIVE!
DeleteCongrats on 5K words! I went through election anxiety (and work anxiety, and health anxiety, and wedding anxiety) so I called off NaNoWriMo for myself. I have, truly, zero creative energy right now. But I love hearing about other people participating, especially because YES this year has been white knuckle. So it's massively brave to be dedicated to the creativity of writing, especially making space and time to write regularly in your life. I hope you do get into that habit- I recall you talking about writing regularly about two years ago, and I know you can do it! I'm glad your honoring a story that's been kicking around your head. It's always a good sign when the story surprises you. YAY! Trust the story. The story will take you where it wants to go. Fighting it will kill it- trust me! Every single time, in 7 years of noveling, that I tried to force the direction, the story died horribly. Trusting the thrill of the unknown is where the magic is. You can always edit later to make those connections if need be. But even as a plotter, I can tell you....go with the flow. :)
ReplyDeleteUgh, election anxiety isn't wearing off. Now it's "He appointed WHO?!" anxiety. =/
ReplyDeleteIt really is draining. I've pretty much started avoiding Facebook entirely.
BUT I am determined to push through and try out some new things, and see where this story takes me. I am forever trying to get into a routine (part of having insomniac tendencies and chronic pain, I guess. All it takes is one bad day/night to blow the whole routine for weeks...), but I'm trying to teach myself that it IS doable, even if in smaller increments than I would like. I need to allow myself to fuck it up and then fix it, because even if it's a mess, it exists. lol
Here's to stress-free better days (fingers crossed fingers crossed fingers crossed)!