Oct 4, 2017 |
by Molly Jo Realy @MollyJoRealy
Because I can’t not write. And because NOLA will soon be ready to fly. And, well, because it’s there.
Like the red-hot button that says, “Don’t touch.”
Like my ex-boyfriend’s car window when he told me it doesn’t roll back up and I had to test his statement. [He was right, by the way. And I ended up making dinner that night.]
And because, if you look sideways and squint, the color is almost a Tiffany blue.
So, I had to do it. Don’t you see? I mean, it’s already a CENTRAL part of me anyway. [See what I did there?]
Still not sure what I’m talking about?
Well, let me turn on the light.
I just joined NaNoWriMo.
NaNoWriMo Participant, 2017
What is it? Well for starters, it’s short for National Novel Writing Month. Don’t ask me how it all got started. I don’t know. I mean, I could totally research it for you, but it’s late and I’m not having coffee tonight. So you get what you get.
Which is this:
NaNoWriMo is an online community of writers.
I know, you’re loving it already, am I right?
And in the month of November, these writers do this abso-crazy thing in committing to write a 50,000 word novel in one month. One. ONE. I mean, who even does that?!
Oh. [Checks mirror.] I guess that would be me.
Granted, it’s bound to be the first draft of a novel. Because anyone who can write a fully perfect novel in thirty days or less . . . “Well, then Jed. I don’t want to know you.” [A little West Wing for my peeps.]
And the deal is, you really, really really can’t have started writing the novel before November 1st. Oh, you can do backstory, planning, character notes, all that jazz. But you can’t start writing the novel before November 1st. [I feel like I already said that.]
And since CENTRAL will be Book Two in my City Series, I figure why not give it a go? Now, CENTRAL will be well over 50k words, like NOLA. But NaNoWriMo can definitely help me get the bones placed.
Whoa. Wait. I almost forgot to tell you one of my favorite parts: my awesome friend Tess DeGroot is one of my region’s Municipal Liaisons. Again, don’t ask me what that means. I don’t really know for the rest of the world. For me, it means coffee and dinner and Happy Planning and writing with my friend. Because she knows how to keep me accountable. And NaNoWriMo makes her an official butt-kicker. [Note to self: Maybe rethink joining NaNoWriMo. Or bring Tess some hot tea and cookies.]
And just for signing up I got these cute little graphics like the one in this post and the one on the side of the blog. Nifty, eh?
Oh, and just in case you were wondering what CENTRAL is all about, here’s my first blurb:
Serenity has a thing for cops. And the guys they arrest. And Nick has a thing for Serenity. Working at a cop bar isn’t where he wants to be all his life, but as long as she’s there, he’ll stick around. Until it’s apparent she doesn’t know he exists.
A third-generation New Yorker with plenty of police in the family tree, Nick knows a thing or two about his city. And Serenity knows how to survive.
When her sister goes missing and Serenity turns to old habits (and men), Nick has to decide what he loves more: this waif of a woman, or his life?
So. Will I see you around the NNWM universe?
TWEET THIS: Will I see you around the NNWM universe? @RealMojo68 @NaNoWriMo #nanowrimo
For more information, visit NaNoWriMo.org.
With an insane schedule and accountability writing partner,
Happy NaNo-ing,
~Molly Jo
And Frankly, My Dear . . . That’s all she wrote!
Oct 26, 2014 |
Sometimes I feel I haven’t done enough to advance my writing, but looking back at the two months since I started my GoFundMe campaign, I realize everything’s a matter of perspective.
Go Fund Me: #DoingTheWriteThing
You can click on the link or photo above to follow my progress with #DoingTheWriteThing, without having to make a donation. I truly appreciate support in all forms!
At the beginning of the year, my only resolution was to do life better.
BETTER! 2014
Of course I haven’t accomplished everything on my list, but I have kept that drive alive to push forward no matter what.
I’ve been diligently working on NOLA for over a year. Almost two, if you count those months I formulated everything before writing a single word, and only worked intermittently. I drafted a few ideas, but only started writing the current story just over a year ago.
NOLA Inspiration
With the help of my writing mentor, my critique group, and the local writers club, the story has become stronger, tighter, and ~ dare I say it ~ more mysterious. In the back of my mind, I always knew NOLA was a mystery, but it wasn’t until a few months ago I realized the fullness of the mystery.
My style of writing is both discovery and intuitive. That means I write the story as it comes to me, letting it write itself, letting the characters dictate their own actions for the most part. I don’t know the technical terms for how I do what I do. I just know what works and what doesn’t. That’s the intuitive part.
For a while I got myself wrapped up in trying to follow a structure. It didn’t work. I ended up writing a new introduction to NOLA that told a good story, but it wasn’t my story. It wasn’t my NOLA. So I took the elements I liked and tossed the rest. I combined the best of the first and second drafts and now I’m working on a new NOLA. Thankfully, I have a clearer vision of how to fill in the blanks so the rewrite should only take me a few more months before this draft is fully completed.
In September, Megan departed from The New Inklings due to scheduling conflicts which means, unfortunately, the writing partnership for The Grenalia Chronicles was dissolved. While I’m sad we aren’t working together, we each have great stories to tell and intend to tell them well. I look forward to getting back to writing a fantasy next year, after NOLA.
Beckie has joined The New Inklings and we meet together at least twice a month. She’s well versed in magazine submissions and query letters. She’s a great asset to the NIP Team.
Nip’s Favorite
I’ve been speaking with Beckie as well as my friend Pam about publishing their works next year. Both have amazing stories to tell for young and old, and I’m delighted that they trust me with these writings.
November will be a busy month for writing. I’m attending three Writing Salons, co-hosting another one with Aaron, attending the writers club and the Howl At The Moon Conference.
My friend Tess has signed up for NaNoWriMo. I participated three years ago, and I applaud her determination. Writing 50,000 words for a first-draft novel in thirty days is an amazing accomplishment.
NaNoWriMo 2010 Participant
NaNoWriMo 2010 Winner
I know my writing limits, and since NaNoWriMo requires a new story, not the furthering of an existing one, it’s not on my radar this year. Maybe next year. I have quite a few stories in my mental queue, just waiting to be put into words.
For now, I’m thankful for the progress I continue to make while #DoingTheWriteThing.
Thanksgiving Table
And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
BETTER: Thanksgiving
Why I Write. Every Day.
FIVE THINGS FRIDAY: #DoingTheWriteThing
New Meaning to Ghost Writing (Journal, 10/19/2010)
Mar 25, 2012
Sixteen months ago, I participated in NaNoWriMo, short for National Novel Writing Month. It’s a simple, fun community way to keep on track with writing. You can plot, plan, scheme for months at a time, but whatever you actually write for your book has to be written within that month of November.
Being the writer that I am and always trying to kill myself with too many To-Do’s striving for better writing accomplishments, I signed on in 2010 and yes, I actually wrote over 50,000 words in 30 days. It was not my finest work, but it did teach me about discipline.
So now that I’m promoting myself as a business owner slash writer slash publisher, I’m thinking it’s time to kick it into high gear again. Blogging doesn’t pay the bills, but publications might. And Megan’s waited long enough for me to stop tweaking the Prologue and Chapter One, and just move on. She’s got scenes in her head that I can’t wait to get to…
So why am I waiting?
This decision has slowly crept up on me over the last few days, but now I know there’s no getting around it.
I’m committing to writing 50,000 words in April. My own NaNoWriMo.
On top of blogging every day.
On top of running New Inklings Press.
On top of completing my assignments for the Institute of Children’s Literature.
The funny thing is, I don’t feel overloaded. I feel directed. I feel organized.
I feel ready.
Ready to write an average of 1,650 words a day.
Ready to move on with the characters, settings, plots, and drama.
Ready to give Megan something to be proud about.
Ready to really work on doing what it is we were born to do.
I’m ready to Write It Out.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
