Today’s word count: 5,240 words
Total words to date: 5,240 words
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This is my first NaNoWriMo update. Yesterday, the starting line for NaNoWriMo, turned out to be a big “0” for me. I wasn’t feeling well all day, and didn’t even make it to my computer, much less my writing program.
The day wasn’t a total loss, though. I discovered the names of two of my main characters, and a lot of different, unrelated bits and pieces also came to me. I wrote them all down in my notebook this morning, when I was feeling better, and ended up with three pages of notes.
I did three separate writing sessions today to make up for not writing at all yesterday. In order to write 50,000 words this month, I will need to write the equivalent of 1,667 words a day.
I read a tip about writing your NaNoWriMo novel this weekend which suggests you try to rack up as high a word count as you can the first week, so that you won’t get stressed if you hit any obstacles later in the month and have to slow down. So right now, I feel like I have some words in the bank!
And if I do have 50,000 words by the end of November, because my NaNoWriMo novel (WAVERLEY) is a middle-grade novel, I should have a complete first draft, ready to be put away to age a bit before revisions.
Here’s my opening sentence – it’s highly unlikely though that this will remain my opening sentence once I finish WAVERLEY and begin my revisions.
For as long as Charlie Merrygold could remember, The Place had stood dark and shuttered at the bottom of Low Street, seeping a nastiness its bruised and blackened walls made no attempt to contain.
I don’t think it captures exactly what I have in my mind (“seeping a nastiness” will certainly have to go!), but it works for now. It’s the sentence that started the whole process that has lead to 5,240 words so far, so I figure it’s already done it’s job.
The words I’m putting down don’t feel like they’re translating the film strip running in my mind as well as I’d like them to. I know I won’t know for certain how good a job I’ve done transferring what I’m seeing in my mind to paper (or rather, keyboard and monitor) until after I’ve written the whole thing, but I’m hoping I’ll feel more confidence as I get deeper into the story.
If you’re doing NaNoWriMo, how did your first two days go?
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{ 19 comments… read them below or add one }
My first #nanowrimo update! http://msbookish.com/nanowrimo-day-2/
Good work! I don’t plan much out in advance, and have only a few notes jotted in another file – but those only come as I’m writing. More like short form points about characters, plot points, new words I’ve made up…
I’m about 3500 words at the moment. I’ll need to do more on the weekends, as many of my weeknights just won’t work.
Good luck with yours – you’re off to a great start!
.-= Jemi Fraser´s last blog ..First Drafts =-.
I’m really happy for you that you’re making progress with NaNoWriMo. I wish it were the kind of month for me where I could make measured progress like that. I admire your focus and discipline.
I like your first sentence an awful lot, by the way. I know you may change it, but if that’s a taste of the way you write, I want to read more.
.-= Margot Kinberg´s last blog ..The Fatal Flaw =-.
Glad to see that you’re feeling better and got the word count up. I’ve been running around lately like a chicken sans head, but things seem to be falling into place. Despite not finishing the NaNo board I was working on, I did manage to get the novel started.
One thing I’m noticing this time around is that I’m writing out of order, even though I have a general outline (in the form of a mind map). Whichever scenes seem fresh and alive to me at the moment are the scenes which get written…and they start out first in my notebook, and then when I feel it’s progressed far enough longhand, I get my laptop and start transcribing it and adding on as I go.
Strange, I know, but it seems to be working so I’m not going to fix it if it ain’t broke.
.-= Ann-Kat (Today, I Read…)´s last blog ..NaNo Board Almost Complete, or NaNoWrimo Day 2 =-.
Congratulations on your over 5000 words in a day. That’s awesome! I wrote for both days and managed to make it to a little over 6000 last night. I was hoping to have at least 10,000 by the end of today, for that word cushion you were talking about, but I’m not sure if it’s going to happen.
In any case, I love your first sentence! Sounds like it’s going to be a great story!
.-= Audrey´s last blog ..Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins =-.
I’m glad that despite feeling icky on the first day, you did great on the second day! I’m doing pretty well. It’s day 3 and I’m on 6662 words right now and just taking a brief break. I’m trying to build up that cushion, so we’ll see how it goes. Your first line sounds great!
Great job so far. Keep building up that cushion. I have to say “seeping a nastiness” certainly got my attention.
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..The Year That Was: October 2009 =-.
I’m so glad to see you jumped right back in after a delayed start! And good to see you advanced from Thing One and Thing Two! :–)
.-= rhapsodyinbooks´s last blog ..No One Was Exaggerating: Review of “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins =-.
Keep at it! Once it’s written you can edit it to get the “translation” right.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Reminder: That’s How I Blog! =-.
Great work. Keep it up! Revisions must come later. I’ll be posting my updates mid-month. I find if I start posting now, that I lose momentum
.-= Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)´s last blog ..Pat Bertram Shares her Writing Space =-.
I’m at 3506 words, but plan to use the next few days to get ahead in case life intervenes later this month (I should say *when* life intervenes). It’s a psychological suspense novel titled DEBT.
I love your first line!
.-= Cathryn´s last blog ..Deadline Junkie =-.
Great start with over 5000 words! Glad to hear you are feeling better. Keep those words flowing.
.-= Margot´s last blog ..Tuesday’s Teasers: Nine Dragons =-.
Congrats on your awesome start. It’s frustrating to be a day behind, but in the end it looks like you’re ahead!
Go you!
And I must admit that you were my inspiration to throw a work out routine into my November. Good luck on your miles!
.-= Cat Woods´s last blog ..Word Count Update =-.
You’re making wonderful progress! I think it’s a great idea to build up a buffer these first few days; takes the pressure off later on. I’ve been trying to do the same. I’m at about 10,600 words as of yesterday evening, and I hope to add at least 2,000 more to that total tonight.
.-= Memory´s last blog ..146. Canticle by R.A. Salvatore =-.
Congrats Belle! You’re doing terrific so far. I wrote a ton on the 1st but have been busy for a couple of days … gotta get back on track tomorrow! I’m registered under “juleswrites” if you want to find me on the NaNo site and add me as a buddy! Good luck with the rest of your writing. By the way, I love that first sentence!
.-= Julie´s last blog ..NaNoWriMo: Day One =-.
Hooray for a successful day!
.-= softdrink´s last blog ..King Tut and the Golden Age of the Pharoahs =-.
Way to go! I was already wavering on my motivation (because of general lack of a plan), so it’s probably no excuse that we spent the first night of NanoWrimo in the ER with my (asthma-prone) son, and the next few days recovering. :/ I wish I had done NanoWrimo before I was a mom. It’s kind of scary that at your current pace, you could be done in 10 days. Then you could write one for me, too.
.-= Lynn´s last blog ..Our turn =-.
I envy your word count.
It is interesting to hear about your writing process and see your opening line. Thanks for sharing this process!
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..A Giveaway and A Giveaway Winner =-.