Last year in November I posted about my progress on NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), when writers attempt to write a 50,000-word novel in thirty days. I hit the target, then blew past it!
I toyed with doing NaNoWriMo again this year. But I decided the timing wasn’t quite right.
Last year, I had a full outline of the book I drafted. The outline kept me going when I wasn’t sure what came next. I am still polishing that novel I drafted last November. It’s been through several drafts since that first draft, and it would be best if I finished it before I began another novel. I wanted to complete it in under a year, but it will be about thirteen months from writing the first words to publication. Still the fastest I have written a novel.
This year, I know what book I will write next. I have a rough outline of the first third of it. And I’ve written the first scene already, but only 500 words so far. The story is calling me to write more.
But I want to remain disciplined. Finish one thing before beginning the next, I was taught as a child. And so I’m putting the next book on hold, skipping NaNoWriMo this year. The story will still be there in December for me to begin.
There are writers who work on several projects at the same time. I have not yet been one of them. Unless you count a novel, a couple of blog posts, and a newsletter as multiple projects. But for me, the blogs and newsletter are a side note. The novel is what I consider my work-in-progress, the project that takes my focus and energy.
I’ve been writing long enough now that I know my next novel will get done in its own time. Now is not quite its time. But that time is approaching. Soon. And I’m waiting eagerly.
So, to all those novelists working on NaNoWriMo this year, keep at it. Congratulations if you get your 50,000 words written. And congratulations just for beginning! I am with you in spirit, if not in practice.
Writers, when have you wished you could move faster on a project?
