Something I’ve never really spoken about much on RobAroundBooks so far are my own aspirations to write fiction. I do not, by any stretch of the imagination, consider myself accomplished or particularly talented in this area, but nevertheless I’m certainly working myself towards improving my skills in novel-writing. I specifically began my more refined 50 Novels in One Year reading challenge back in June, to accustom myself better with the craft of novel writing (you’ll notice in my ‘afterthoughts’ for each novel that I read I also a comment on ‘what this novel has taught me about writing’), so I would be in a better position to enter my first NaNoWriMo event this year.
My novel reading has certainly gone well over the past few months and I’ve augmented this by also digesting a handful of writing-craft books (Writing Down the Bones and Bird by Bird have been two of my favs). Consequently my understanding of the craft has improved immensely. I still feel far away from being anywhere close to competent in the craft, but with NanoWriMo beginning in only 2 short days the moment of truth is almost upon me (and every other aspiring novelist who is entering this year), and ready or not it’s time to start writing. Call it pre-NaNoWriMo nerves or a lack of confidence, but I had considered shelving my entry into the competition this year..[gasp!], but I figured, whether I achieve the 50,000 words or not, it’s an opportunity I can’t afford to miss. I know I’d just be kicking myself every day during November if I didn’t participate, so despite the reservations I’m still joining in the novel-writing fervour from the weekend.
So I guess that leads me to sort of revealing what I’m going to be writing about for NaNoWriMo. Well, over the past few months the thing that has really interested me most in my fiction reading is characterisation, and consequently literary fiction has emerged as my most revered genre. I’ve been enthralled by Steinbeck, captivated by Hamsun and not a little titillated by the dark pen of Edgar Allan Poe, and it’s really put me in the mood for exploring a ‘descent into madness’ type scenario. I’ve spent the past two weeks brainstorming what kind of ‘descent into madness’ story I could run with, and my ideas have gone through various transitions, but I’ve been mainly unsure. Then a couple of days ago when I was in the bath (my favourite thinking place), I started thinking about where I live and what kind of ‘real world’ scenarios exist that could be adapted to what I want to write about. Then…bang!….epiphany..it came to me like a lightening bolt, and I was mad I hadn’t seen it sooner. I’m lucky enough to live only ten short miles away from Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, and what’s the most notorious thing that’s probably ever happened in Edinburgh? Give up? Well I’ll tell you – the notorious Victorian killing spree of Burke and Hare of course, and with a veritable mountain of material available on the whole sordid affair practically on my doorstep, what better thing to write about than a story related to that? C’est Bon! Voila! - said I at the time, standing dripping with towel in hand!
So the title of my novel is Blood Words, and yes it’s based around Burke and Hare, or rather 1830’s Edinburgh. I’m not going to say too much more about it at the moment (I’ll reveal more once the event gets under way), because I’m wary that someone may come along and steal the idea. Suffice to say however, I’ve got some great characters devised, a basic (so far) outline for the plot, and a huge load of excitement about writing it. To add to that excitement I’m also aiming to spend quite a few of my November writing days in Edinburgh, embroiled in the Victorian world of Burke and Hare, which, if nothing else, is sure to improve the writing experience for me, which will hopefully make the story even better.
So in 48 hours or so, Trusty Chekhov (my AlphaSmart Neo) and I take up the writing reigns and join the writing melee, and I invite you to follow my progress. You can ‘track’ my ‘journey’ either on here, where I aim, perhaps optimistically, to give daily updates (I’ve created a special NaNoWriMo category and will set up a hub page before the event begins), or directly on my NanoWriMo page.
So that’s me, now what about you? Are you planning on entering NaNoWriMo this year? If you are then I’d love to hear from you, and perhaps add you as ‘writing buddy’ at the NaNo site so I can follow your progress too. If you’re not entering NaNoWriMo this year but you’re a veteran of the event, then it would be great to hear from you too. I’m sure you’d have more than a few words of wisely wisdom to offer this quivering ‘green ink-horn’ 
)
About Rob
I really want to jump in. You can find my author page under IlovetowriteSMP. I’m just grasping for a plot right now.
I remember how much NaNo helped me when I trying to learn how to write. I think it will do wonders for you. It doesn’t matter if you reach 50,000 words as much as the fact that NaNo helps new writers to be able to claim to the world “I am a writer,” and to tell everyone they know “Don’t bother me. I’m writing right now.” Its about giving yourself over to the craft. Its a crazy month but always really exciting.
says:
Sara – It’s people like you who can inspire anyone to do anything. Thank you for your most welcome words of wisdom and support. I’ll be sure and hook up with you over at NaNo – you seem to be a valuable buddy to have around.
Warmest
Rob
Wow a novel – how exciting! Unfortunately the only thing I’ll be writing for the next few months is my dissertation
Will you share what you write so we can see?
Rob,
Your idea sounds very interesting. Now knock it out!
You’ve read Bird by Bird; take to heart that your first draft might be very far from where you envisioned it. Don’t let that stop you. Push through to the end.
Judging from your output on your websites, you’ll have no trouble making 50,000 in a month. Just allow yourself to write forward without stopping to edit a line. Sometimes you have to build temporary bridges to get the story across the river. Those bridges can be sloppy. Story first, pretty writing later, I say.
On to it, Rob!
Steve
says:
@Clare – I fear your expectations may be set too high. I’d use ‘novel’ in the broadest sense of the word. However I will indeed share what I write, maybe not in full right away, but certainly after I tidy it up. As for your dissertation writing – I feel your pain. This time last year I was in the same boat with my dissertation deadline in January. What are you writing your dissertation on? Good luck with it whatever it is.
@Steve – If there’s something I really need right now, it’s advice from a wise head. I love the bridge analogy, and to be perfectly honest I was setting out to build ‘perfect bridges’ from the start. You’ve put me back into check! So thanks for that, and for the words of belief and support. Are you doing NaNo this year by the way?
Rob,
I used to worry about sloppy connections, wondering if it was a mistake to push through when the writing got watery and lacked direction, but I’ve found that if you do push through those bits, the good stuff comes.
I’m at page 42 on a rewrite and am about to start typing page 43, which will begin my NaNo, in a way. I’m setting a daily goal of 8-10 double-spaced typewritten pages through November. (Should be around 2,000-2,500 words per day). This isn’t a completely new story for me, but I’m rewriting from another character’s POV, which means the story will change quite a bit. I had a minor character steal the spotlight in the first draft and decided that he was a lot more interesting than my original protagonist.
I keep an index card on my desk to keep me on track. It reads:
Let Bad Things Happen
Strong Voice
Tell the Story
Direct Action
Concrete
Specific
Honest
Motive
Passion
No Tricks
Careful Where You Point That Thing
—
Some of these were stolen. “No Tricks” was something Raymond Carver kept on his desk. “Careful Where You Point That Thing” the “thing” is the writer’s camera. Don’t spend too much time with insignificant details. Hell, on the first draft, just write and write and write. Let it come.
Steve
says:
Steve, I’m loving that index card. Way too advanced for me but I can see how it can help.
Glad to see you NaNoing. Good luck with it!
Rob,
How is the writing going? I’m visiting to gently nudge you along. Go forward. Move ahead.
Steve
says:
Steve – not going too well so far (under a 1000), but I’m renowned or being a slow starter and a strong finisher. I’m wholly conscious that I need to get up to speed pretty quickly though! Thanks for the encouragement
Rob,
Getting the story on its feet can be the hardest part of writing. Don’t worry about making it perfect or sticking to your original idea too closely. Let things happen.
Most importantly: Do not stop. Finish. Even if it takes more than a month, which it should to tell a novel-length story, finish.
Think of writing as building a house. The first one might take longer than you think it should, and it might look pretty rough, but you can go back and add a few boards, redo the roof, put a coat of paint on it and feel pretty good about it. You might, however, discover that the house leans, that you’ve laid the foundation wrong and you need to tear apart the house and rebuild from ground up, or build another house on a different location. You might be able to reuse some parts from the old house. Each time you build you will learn something. It is only by doing the writing that you can learn. Plus, you’ll discover, if you haven’t already, that the “doing” is the most rewarding part of writing. Finishing a piece is one kind of lonely.
Knock it out.
Steve
says:
Love the house analogy Steve, and you’re 100% right. Even though I know all of the above I’m working too hard to get things perfect! Write first – edit 2nd. Thanks again for the encouragement and the guidance.
Warmest
good luck with nano, rob! i participated (and won) last year and am attempting again this time around. i’ll be at 25,000 words by the end of the day so i’m definitely doing better than i had expected.
says:
Brittney you’re doing fantastically !!!!! So much better than I could ever dream of. I know I’ll be picking up the pace better next week. I was on a research trip for my story yesterday, and now I have been, a few crucial aspects are clear in my head.
Anyway best of luck for the rest of NaNo Brittney, although I’m thinking you probably don’t need it
Warmest
Rob
Rob, I hope you’re progressing with the novel. I completed NaNo in 2006 and 2007, and it felt like running a marathon. The trick for me was keeping a good steady pace. Good luck!
says:
Ravenous – Thank you for the words of support. However it doesn’t look good for me finishing the 50k in time. Life has just got in my way a bit too much and I know now I could/should have been better prepared.
It ain’t over till the fat lady sings of course so I’m not saying I’m out yet, but it ain’t lookin’ good
)
Rob,
Keep at it until your story is out. Don’t worry about silly NaNoWriMo constraints. I’ve read that Stephen Dixon tries to get one finished page out of his typewriter each day.
The NaNoWriMo project can be a learning experience. It can help people figure out how to reserve time for writing, how to write forward instead of standing on line and rewriting the life out of it while the story flounders. NaNoWriMo can also be damaging, leaving some writers feeling defeated. Not all writers write for word counts or a daily time clock. You have to find out what works for you.
By the way, I keep thinking of how short a 50,000 word novel is. The last short book I read and enjoyed was: The Clothes They Stood Up In by Alan Bennett. Have you read it?
If you want to track your progress long after NaNoWriMo is gone, I’ve got a Work In Progress section set up under Database on The Way We Write. I find it helps to post my daily writing. It keeps me at the desk.
Steve
says:
Steve – no one could ever accuse you of not being supportive; you’re legendary both in wisdom and support. I’m absolutely not giving up on my story. Regardless of missing the 50,000 word total I DO intend to take my story through to completion.
My problem during this NaNo has definitely been a lack of planning beforehand. I spent most of the first week still in research mode which is of course a no-no. I definitely don’t feel defeated at this point. I think my story is going to be good but only if I have the control over how it evolves. Sure I could knock out 50,000 of drivel (I do it daily on here
)) but it’s not how I want to advance things.
I certainly WILL be using that WiP section on the Way We Write site, and I certainly will be sticking to a daily output, but for NaNo I’m just not set up enough to do that.
As for Mr. Bennett’s book – no I haven’t read it but I will check it out
Warmest
Rob