I'm looking at my writing so far as a zero draft. Day five I've done 11,113 words. I sort of cheated by plotting down ideas for my novel before I started, worryingly I have already used all my ideas and I haven't got to the 15,000 word mark.
I usually write about 800 words an hour. So I have been spending around two hours on NaNoWriMo each day. Already I'm itching to read what I've written so far but I know that will be a nail in the coffin. All I can do is press onwards and focus on that word count.
However, it cuts down on what I call my dreaming time, were I can gently let the story unfold in my mind.
Tonight is the first night that I'm going to bed with no idea what to write tomorrow.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Thursday, November 1, 2012
20 x 12 Portsmouth Book Fest 2012
I had a great time with the 20 x 12 project. It was so nice to meet other local authors, learn about the Reauthoring Project and have an opportunity to read our work out loud in the community. I have met so many writers in my life who have turned their noses up at opportunities like this but I have found that the more you say yes to new experiences the more opportunities come your way.
The project meant that not only did I get to meet and hear the work of some great authors such as Annie Kirby, James Law, Maggie Sawkins and Andrew Prior. I met some shining personalities such as Matt Wingett and Joanne Mallon. I was sorry when the project started to come to an end and expected maybe a drink in the pub and another entry on my writers bio. So imagine my pleasant surprise when I found out that there is the possibility of a collection of the writings that featured in 20x12 being published.
The book will be a not-for-profit venture, with all proceeds from sales going to a fund designed to promote Portsmouth writers - either in the form of future presentations, or a to promote additional books in the future. The book would go on sale around Portsmouth and would also be handed out to visiting luminaries involved in culture.
I do hope the project goes ahead. Since I produce an anthology every year for The Writers @ Lovedean I appreciate the hard work ahead for Mart Wingett and Dom Kippin especially as in their email they are hoping to have it out before Christmas.
Obviously I have already sent my submission, never let it be said that I sat back and missed an opportunity to see the name in print!
The project meant that not only did I get to meet and hear the work of some great authors such as Annie Kirby, James Law, Maggie Sawkins and Andrew Prior. I met some shining personalities such as Matt Wingett and Joanne Mallon. I was sorry when the project started to come to an end and expected maybe a drink in the pub and another entry on my writers bio. So imagine my pleasant surprise when I found out that there is the possibility of a collection of the writings that featured in 20x12 being published.
The book will be a not-for-profit venture, with all proceeds from sales going to a fund designed to promote Portsmouth writers - either in the form of future presentations, or a to promote additional books in the future. The book would go on sale around Portsmouth and would also be handed out to visiting luminaries involved in culture.
I do hope the project goes ahead. Since I produce an anthology every year for The Writers @ Lovedean I appreciate the hard work ahead for Mart Wingett and Dom Kippin especially as in their email they are hoping to have it out before Christmas.
Obviously I have already sent my submission, never let it be said that I sat back and missed an opportunity to see the name in print!
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
What is NaNoWriMo?
What is NaNoWriMo?
Writing one 50,000-word novel from scratch in a month’s time.
'National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing on November 1. The goal is to write a 50,000 word, (approximately 175 page) novel by 11:59:59, November 30.
Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over painstaking craft, NaNoWriMo is a novel-writing program for everyone who has thought fleetingly about writing a novel but has been scared away by the time and effort involved.
Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It’s all about quantity, not quality. This approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.
Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crap. And that’s a good thing. By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create. To build without tearing down.'
http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/whatisnano
So why am I doing it?
I work well to deadlines. It forces you to get the full story down and not to edit. It also pushing you over that barrier when you lose the plot of the novel and just give up!
And today I have made a start and I'm feel good!
1st November current word count 2,375
Writing one 50,000-word novel from scratch in a month’s time.
'National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing on November 1. The goal is to write a 50,000 word, (approximately 175 page) novel by 11:59:59, November 30.
Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over painstaking craft, NaNoWriMo is a novel-writing program for everyone who has thought fleetingly about writing a novel but has been scared away by the time and effort involved.
Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It’s all about quantity, not quality. This approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.
Make no mistake: You will be writing a lot of crap. And that’s a good thing. By forcing yourself to write so intensely, you are giving yourself permission to make mistakes. To forgo the endless tweaking and editing and just create. To build without tearing down.'
http://www.nanowrimo.org/en/whatisnano
So why am I doing it?
I work well to deadlines. It forces you to get the full story down and not to edit. It also pushing you over that barrier when you lose the plot of the novel and just give up!
And today I have made a start and I'm feel good!
1st November current word count 2,375
Families, Ghosts and New Projects
I've had a very emotionally charged weekend. It was my little sisters wedding, she looked beautiful but even though its twelve years since my parents died I really felt their absence this weekend. I know my father would have been so proud to walk her down the aisle and my mother would have been in her element. We spent the rest of our time in the North visiting relatives. But I couldn't help grieving over the fact that my own children never met their grandparents on my side.
Before the trip home I visited Bolton Town Centre a favourite shopping haunt of me and my Mum. The first time I went to Bolton on my own I took my little sister to buy her a birthday present - a game she desperately wanted called 'Pig Pong'. It was something my parents thought was silly and a waste of money. However, my little sister had seen it on television and wanted it with a passion. I was fourteen and had my first job and I was so proud that I could buy it for her. It was strange walking around a town centre that seemed to have changed so little lost in thoughts of my past.
I wasn't able to write a word while I was away. I couldn't even focus on the rewrite of my non fiction book. This is very worrying as I'm going to have to write a lot of words tomorrow because the 1st of November and the start of NaNoWriMo - AKA write a novel in a month!
Before the trip home I visited Bolton Town Centre a favourite shopping haunt of me and my Mum. The first time I went to Bolton on my own I took my little sister to buy her a birthday present - a game she desperately wanted called 'Pig Pong'. It was something my parents thought was silly and a waste of money. However, my little sister had seen it on television and wanted it with a passion. I was fourteen and had my first job and I was so proud that I could buy it for her. It was strange walking around a town centre that seemed to have changed so little lost in thoughts of my past.
I wasn't able to write a word while I was away. I couldn't even focus on the rewrite of my non fiction book. This is very worrying as I'm going to have to write a lot of words tomorrow because the 1st of November and the start of NaNoWriMo - AKA write a novel in a month!
Monday, October 22, 2012
Confessions of a Portsmouth Book Fest 20 x 12 Reader
So after all the practice and work with the ReAuthoring Project it was my turn to give my 12 minute performance in Portsmouth City Library. I went through the exercises I learnt from Greg at the workshop while walking the dog this morning and I was feeling pretty good. I'd looked around the space earlier in the month and I'd decided to use the cafe. I thought people would already be sitting, some alone and most may be killing time. But when I got to the library a fellow 20 x 12 told me that a group of people were using the cafe to have an around the table discussion about politics. Crikey - I realised I didn't have a plan B.
The library staff were lovely, they had put out a table and one chair and wished me luck. They assured me I could use any part of the library, but there was no chairs to put out for an audience, what to do? I'd planned for time for a quick re read but instead I had to think fast. What would Greg do? There were lots of toddlers in the kids section, no good. The quiet area at the back? Of course no one would know you I was there. Then it hit me. Suppose I broke fire regulations and blocked the entrance and exit. People coming into the library and going out would be forced to stand for a few minutes. By this time other kind 20 x 12 authors who will be reading soon had popped along and we pulled some chairs out that would hopefully stop traffic. I do feel a little bad at putting the brakes on a passer by in a wheel chair, but when you need an audience what can you do?
I must admit I felt self conscious of being in my 'work' clothes but it was a case of nipping to Portsmouth in my lunch hour. No choice when you are self employed and looking for business? It helped and made me feel nervous having friendly faces in the audience. I decided to do it from memory and 'unaccustomed as I am to public speaking' lost my thread a little. Never the less I did it!
It was definitely a great experience. And now I am able to relax and enjoy the rest of the Portsmouth Book Fest without pressure.
After having my first go I would definitely do it completely different if I had to do it again. I think I would put up a few signs and maybe borrow the church's tea urn and offer free cups of tea in the quiet area at the back. Then maybe I could have jollied a few people along into being an audience. It would have worked so much better for the piece I was performing.
One thing for sure I don't think I would go back to traditional reading. And I'm much stronger after the experience.
I'd like to had a big thanks to all the people who came out to support me, I will be coming to see as many as I can.
The library staff were lovely, they had put out a table and one chair and wished me luck. They assured me I could use any part of the library, but there was no chairs to put out for an audience, what to do? I'd planned for time for a quick re read but instead I had to think fast. What would Greg do? There were lots of toddlers in the kids section, no good. The quiet area at the back? Of course no one would know you I was there. Then it hit me. Suppose I broke fire regulations and blocked the entrance and exit. People coming into the library and going out would be forced to stand for a few minutes. By this time other kind 20 x 12 authors who will be reading soon had popped along and we pulled some chairs out that would hopefully stop traffic. I do feel a little bad at putting the brakes on a passer by in a wheel chair, but when you need an audience what can you do?
I must admit I felt self conscious of being in my 'work' clothes but it was a case of nipping to Portsmouth in my lunch hour. No choice when you are self employed and looking for business? It helped and made me feel nervous having friendly faces in the audience. I decided to do it from memory and 'unaccustomed as I am to public speaking' lost my thread a little. Never the less I did it!
It was definitely a great experience. And now I am able to relax and enjoy the rest of the Portsmouth Book Fest without pressure.
After having my first go I would definitely do it completely different if I had to do it again. I think I would put up a few signs and maybe borrow the church's tea urn and offer free cups of tea in the quiet area at the back. Then maybe I could have jollied a few people along into being an audience. It would have worked so much better for the piece I was performing.
One thing for sure I don't think I would go back to traditional reading. And I'm much stronger after the experience.
I'd like to had a big thanks to all the people who came out to support me, I will be coming to see as many as I can.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Weald & Downland Open Air Museum
Searching for a peaceful oasis of calm, beautiful scenery and places to write in the autumn sun The Writers @ Lovedean had its last Write Out Day at Weald & Downland Open Air Museum. It rained. However, grey skies and damp trousers could not crumple a wonderful and informative trip. We had planned to separate, write and then regroup. That way we could have a little word tour of the buildings that inspired us. However, and I am tempted to gain credit for this, we were lucky enough to have a guided tour by curator Julian Bell. He pointed out things we would have easily missed. It was fascinating to see how these buildings have lovingly been rebuilt in the beauty of the South Downs. For me the highlight was the watermill. I have been fascinated by them since childhood. Maybe it was Windy Miller in Camberwick Green that started my love of flour mills, even those which use water instead of sails.
I think the group as a whole enjoyed Weald & Downland jewel in its crown the impressive Bayleaf House. It was certainly nice to be out soaking up the autumn colours.
I was hoping to get an idea for another poem to submit to Writing Hampshire. I would love to put Weald & Downland on the poetry map. However, I found myself taken up with ideas for the young adult book I'm planning to write in November. I think I might try and find time to sneak off and visit again alone. Despite having a wonderful time with a great set of writers I was itching for some writing time.
I would definitely recommend a visit :
http://www.wealddown.co.uk/
I think the group as a whole enjoyed Weald & Downland jewel in its crown the impressive Bayleaf House. It was certainly nice to be out soaking up the autumn colours.
I was hoping to get an idea for another poem to submit to Writing Hampshire. I would love to put Weald & Downland on the poetry map. However, I found myself taken up with ideas for the young adult book I'm planning to write in November. I think I might try and find time to sneak off and visit again alone. Despite having a wonderful time with a great set of writers I was itching for some writing time.
I would definitely recommend a visit :
http://www.wealddown.co.uk/
Monday, October 15, 2012
Submitting to the Poetry Map
Inspired by Fridays workshop with Brian Evans-Jones I edited my poem dedicated to a council car park in Winchester and submitted it to:
Writing Hampshire - Mapping the County through Poetry
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/arts-service/developing-arts/arts-for-everyone/literature/writing-hampshire.htm
I think it is such a beautiful idea, a map of poems about what Hampshire means to the people who live, work, study, play or visit here.
It's worth checking out the site to see which areas have already been bagged although I don't think it would matter if two people wrote about the same place. All the pins represent where poems are written and they seem to cling to the motorway. A tad strange perhaps but seeing that I neglected all of Hampshire's beauty spots for a parking space, I feel unable to comment.
Then while I was on the site I stumbled on a writing competition:
'Celebrating Charlotte - A Writing Competition
Charlotte Mary Yonge was the best selling Victorian novelist who also named Eastleigh in Hampshire. She will be celebrated through a series of paving artworks and we are looking for writers to be involved.
You are invited to write a short story inspired by Charlotte or one of her novels - maybe one turns up when clearing a relative's house or perhaps you could imagine Charlotte teaching, or writing one of her books.
You could win a £50 Waterstones giftcard and have your story reproduced for countless readers to enjoy.
Stories should be a maximum of 1000 words.
Two prize categories: under 16 and 16+
Open to all - you don't have to be a Hampshire resident to enter
Entries should be sent to the Literature Development Officer, Hampshire County Council, Castle Avenue, Winchester, SO23 8UL
or to angela.hicken@hants.gov.uk stating full name, address and date of birth.
Closing date: 12 December 2012'
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/arts-service/developing-arts/arts-for-everyone/literature/writing-competition.htm
Very interesting! I'm hoping that something will bubble subconsciously on this while I work.
Writing Hampshire - Mapping the County through Poetry
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/arts-service/developing-arts/arts-for-everyone/literature/writing-hampshire.htm
I think it is such a beautiful idea, a map of poems about what Hampshire means to the people who live, work, study, play or visit here.
It's worth checking out the site to see which areas have already been bagged although I don't think it would matter if two people wrote about the same place. All the pins represent where poems are written and they seem to cling to the motorway. A tad strange perhaps but seeing that I neglected all of Hampshire's beauty spots for a parking space, I feel unable to comment.
Then while I was on the site I stumbled on a writing competition:
'Celebrating Charlotte - A Writing Competition
Charlotte Mary Yonge was the best selling Victorian novelist who also named Eastleigh in Hampshire. She will be celebrated through a series of paving artworks and we are looking for writers to be involved.
You are invited to write a short story inspired by Charlotte or one of her novels - maybe one turns up when clearing a relative's house or perhaps you could imagine Charlotte teaching, or writing one of her books.
You could win a £50 Waterstones giftcard and have your story reproduced for countless readers to enjoy.
Stories should be a maximum of 1000 words.
Two prize categories: under 16 and 16+
Open to all - you don't have to be a Hampshire resident to enter
Entries should be sent to the Literature Development Officer, Hampshire County Council, Castle Avenue, Winchester, SO23 8UL
or to angela.hicken@hants.gov.uk stating full name, address and date of birth.
Closing date: 12 December 2012'
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/arts-service/developing-arts/arts-for-everyone/literature/writing-competition.htm
Very interesting! I'm hoping that something will bubble subconsciously on this while I work.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)