Hello readers and writers alike. It is October...the month preceding the biggest challenge for a writer which until recently only happened once a year...now there are events three times a year. What am I speaking of?
Oh the horror...the stomach twisting nerves, the gut clenching insanity...okay you get my point.
If you aren't aware of what I'm speaking about, let me fill you in. I am speaking of Nanowrimo...otherwise known as writing a novel in a month. Yes, a whole novel. 50,000 words of creativity and mind numbing word craft.
Have I scared you off yet? No, well then come on in, pull up a chair and let me bend your ear. Coffee? Tea? Pumpkin Spice Latte?
Nanowrimo is an event I've taken part in for the last four years, and I've won it by reaching my 50,000 word goal. But there is more to it than simply writing 50k, there's maintaining your mental and physical health, learning how to function with deadlines and goals. For myself, learning to forgive myself for not reaching my goal of 50,000+ words was tough. Real life kind of kicked me in the behind and I just wasn't able to do what I wanted.
I know this year is going to be hectic - heck, it's going to be insane. I'm doing two projects one as Elise Whyles and one as Patricia Bates. (I've got blog posts detailing Patricia's story) For Elise Whyles, I'm going back to Forsaken Heart, book one in #TheForsakenSeries and telling the story of two of the characters from the novel.
To ensure success, I'm building worlds, creating lives, and cultures, and really expanding on some of the cultural details revealed in Forsaken Heart while I'm also bringing the two characters forward into the current hostilities in Dreken. As I pondered this, I realized, I needed to be prepared. I need to have notes jotted down for quick reference, to ensure I can maintain my writing goals. As loathed as I am to plot anything, for November I realize if I am to have any semblance of success I'm going to have to plan for things before November 1st, and utilize some of my note taking resources.
I'm a huge fan of spreadsheets you can manipulate them in any number of ways to help you keep on track. Currently I have two open on my computer, one for the Forsaken Novella and the other for the Celtic Romance (See Monday's Post) ;). The one for the Forsaken Novella is a mix of information from now, as well as information from the Treatment for Forsaken Heart detailing the physical characteristics of the characters, the setting, and space for me to add in more details.
There are several sheets opened in each file, allowing for me to document character wants and needs, conflicts, goals, motivators, and more. Having everything in one place this way allows for me to color code details, move them around, and really get everything laser focused. I can hear some say, well isn't that what plotting is. And the simple answer is yes. The big difference I find is using the spreadsheets I can track things like correct spellings of names, if there's a recipe or dish being made I want to try making myself - of course making a demon or vampire dish is a little tricky but still...
I will be making a workbook of what I'm doing for the novella and offering it starting the 19th of this month when you sign up to become a patron. Becoming one helps me, my family, and supports the Distinct Author's channel. Fore more information you can find out about Distinct Author's here.
