Yesterday, my first post was put up sometime after 10:30 at night, created after just signing up for NaNoWriMo. I did not truly feel the affect of that decision until this afternoon, just before 1:15 PM. It was at that point that I realized what I had just done.
By all accounts, thus far in my life I have been a lazy writer. I have written, yes, but not with the frequency or quality I ought to be. And here I am, throwing myself completely and utterly into the creation of a full length novel, of at least 50,000 words? I must be insane. I must be absolutely and irrevocably insane! And you know what? It has never felt better! :D
Simply by commiting to this I have redrawn the boundaries I have in my head that previously dictated what I could do. Instead of thinking about it, wanting to do it, or wishing I already had done it, I am actively doing it. I have broken down the boundaries and rules that have been self-imposed for far, far too long, and now I feel like I could do absolutely anything. And I love that feeling. The only question left is, how do I start?
The answer to that question is, actually, rather simple. The rules of the contest state that you cannot start writing until November 1st. However, you can build an outline. So that is what I've begun to do. Today I separated my book into four parts, each part containing five chapters, and each chapter at least ten pages. I have outlined what I want to do with the first two parts of the book, and only the last two parts remain. After that I intend to work on developing my characters and coming up with more potential plot arcs, just for fun, until November 1st rolls around. Then, ready or not, it's time to jump head first into the maelstrom and ride those rough currents of literary energy, daring the gale to blow ever harder and the waters to spiral ever stronger.
How you guys can help:
1. I will be posting a blog everday commenting on my progress and my thoughts of that day. If there comes a time when I do not have a blog posted, you guys need to badger me about it. Even if I didn't write that day, I need to tell you guys WHY I didn't write.
2. When I start circulating rough drafts amoungst you, please tell me what you think honestly. I can't improve it properly if I'm not told that you think it's horrendous. If you really do think it's horrendous, that is.
Also, one last note, could those who are keeping track of this blog and actually reading the posts comment on one of these posts? I would like to get an idea of how many, and who I'm talking to with these things. If, for some reason you can't comment send me a message on facebook letting me know. Thanks a bunch!
Writing my Future,
Marc Eshleman
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