Comments on: NaNoWriMo: Day 26 Lessons Learned on Writing My First Novel

By: Joanne

Joanne — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:07:55 +0000

Well done on your progress for NaNo! I attempted NaNo for the first time this year as well and only made it to 25k, but it’s given me a great kickstart on my novel. I noticed you mentioned not being able to use scrivener because you don’t have a mac, I found ywriter to be a great program for PC users and it is free to download. I used Write or Die a few times during NaNo, and I agree it was a great way to boost the word count. Good luck on finishing your novel post-NaNo!

By: Joanna Penn

Joanna Penn — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:45:24 +0000

Thanks Evan – it’s good to hear from a pro

Karthik – great idea – I’ll sort it out! Thanks.

By: karthik narayan

karthik narayan — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 06:35:14 +0000

great stuff Joanna. Very useful indeed. Why dont u compile all the lessons learnt as a single document and use that as a base for next year’s nanowrimo? am sure a lot of guys would be interested, including me

By: Evan Marshall

Evan Marshall — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:34:59 +0000

Well done, Joanna! I would say the skills you’ve acquired and the lessons you’ve learned are more important than making the 50,000 words. As an author and an agent, I believe especially strongly in your point #2 — don’t print out! As you discovered, it takes you out of “creator” mode and throws you into “editor” mode. What you want, obviously, is to stay in creator mode until you’re completely finished.

I’m under the gun right now for my tenth mystery, due to my publisher January 15. I am plowing bravely forward, only rereading the last few pages when I start a new session. I will say having a solid outline ahead of time makes it all a lot easier!

By: Joanna

Joanna — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 23:30:02 +0000

Thanks all.

Anne Marie – I’m checking out Liquid Story Binder – thanks for the recommendation.

Judi – very good point – I was confused while writing the post over Learnt & Learned. I need to speak to Grammar Girl!

K.M – I know you are a prolific writer so I appreciate your sharing. I think I might be an editor as I go as well… but I am still exploring my writing style. I’ve found that NaNo has just allowed to me to write without fear which is a good way to start!

Karen – thanks for the book recommendation. I shall check it out!

Thanks, Joanna

By: Michael Pokocky

Michael Pokocky — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:36:22 +0000

Here’s a great free writing tool : Dark Room http://they.misled.us/dark-room#hide

Here’s what it is:
“Dark Room is a full screen, distraction free, writing environment. Unlike standard word processors that focus on features, Dark Room is just about you and your text.”

By: Karen van Wyk

Karen van Wyk — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:47:27 +0000

Hi Joanna,
Hang in there on NaNo, you’re doing great. My writing goals for 2010 are to finish my second novel and then, if I still have time, to poke around with this years NaNo novel and see if it’s worthy of a second draft.

One book that helped my fiction writing enormously is How to Write a Million by Anson Dibbel, Orson Scott Card and Lewis Turco. Whenever I flick through it, it inspires me all over again.

By: K.M. Weiland

K.M. Weiland — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:54:55 +0000

I’m a big fan of NaNo and the transformative power it’s been able to wield in so many writers’ lives. But I’ve never participated and probably never will, mostly due to your second point. Editing as I go is a crucial part of my writing process. I’d go crazy if I couldn’t go back and fix my mistakes!

By: Judith Swartz

Judith Swartz — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:27:27 +0000

Thanks so much for sharing, Joanna. You’re doing a great job! (Aside: I missed “learnt” – such a good word.)
Remember before you sleep, think of the story that you need and when you wake, it will be there. Keep writing.
Your fan, Judi

By: Ann Marie

Ann Marie — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 22:16:41 +0000

Take a look at Liquid Story Binder for a Scrivener-esque writing program for PCs. If you go to the NaNo web site, they were offering a sale price to participants at one point this month.

What you say about knowing some parts that you could write now, and seeing places you could insert things–I think that’s a writing style that is greatly assisted by these programs, since you can so easily move scenes around and insert or delete them.