Chick Lit Goddess

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National Novel Writing Month

Thoughts For Tuesday

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Preparing for NaNoWriMo

I spent a lot of time this weekend trying to come up with a type of outline for my book during National Novel Writing Month, NaNoWriMo.  I jotted ideas down in my phone, but whenever I opened Word, ready to start typing, I had nothing!  I must have opened and closed the document three or four times the entire weekend, each time excited that this would be it and I’d have an outline.  No luck!

While I’m not exactly stressed about this, I am wondering if I should even be participating in NaNoWriMo, but something tells me that I can do this, so at least my confidence isn’t completely busted.  I know that it will come to me eventually, hopefully before November 1st, and when it does I’ll be ready!

For now I will be focusing on what I know I need to do to help me write a book in a month:

  • Work on creating a conflict and go from there
  • Create strong characters; a Hero and a Heroine and their character description
  • What do I want the message to the reader to be?
  • Do I need to do any research for my work?  (A destination perhaps?)
  • Make a schedule that ables me to at least write 1,633 words a day, along with two GWW classes, a girl’s only weekend with my sister, and Thanksgiving all in my favorite month!
  • De-stress!
**Any help, tips or thoughts are greatly appreciated**

How Twitter Can Help Writers

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I’ve been really into the Twitter world for about three weeks now.  I can’t say that I didn’t like it, I just didn’t quite understand why most everyone that I know “tweets.”  I’m still learning all the signs, but so far it has helped me along in my writing journey.

As an unpublished Chick Lit (not a dying genre like some think) writer, I have been graciously welcomed into a whole new way of communicating and publicizing myself and my work.

  • By tweeting about your WIP or your blogs, it can help get the word out about you.  This can create more “Likes” to your Facebook page, more hits on your website and more fans over time.
  • By “Following” people, blogs or companies, they will often tweet advice, tips or quotes that can help you along the way, no matter what stage you are at on your journey.
  • Since a lot of writers seem to be tweeting, it’s easy to communicate with people.  It’s a quick way of sharing a quick message or a to give a “congratulations.”  Often times they will reciprocate when you’ve accomplished something.  It’s also nice to have a cheerleader in your corner on your side when you need a little pick me up.
  • While only 140 characters are allowed, I think it makes the writer in all of us try to sum up what we’re saying and learn how to only use words that are necessary.  This can also make for a quick read for your reader.
I encourage you to at least give it a shot.  What’s the harm in trying something that might help your career?
Follow me on Twitter @ ILA121209

And The Week Begins

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This week will start off busy, but that’s okay.

By the end of today I will (hopefully) have turned in another batch of edits to my editor and have written tomorrow’s blog.  I will have started on the loads of laundry that have been piling up, along with the other piles of clothes that we have (finally) unpacked this weekend.

Oh, Monday here you are to greet me with your glory.

(Yes readers, I’m STRESSED out).

This week consists of the following:

  •  Blogging, editing, starting my Nonfiction class from Gotham Writers’ Workshop, working on the assignments and preparing for my other GWW Mystery class which starts a week from Tuesday, writing an outline of some sort for NaNoWriMo, and of course the day-to-day wifely duties (laundry, dishes, shopping, this list never ends)!

Wish me luck!

Preparing for NaNoWriMo

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Like I announced on my LAST POST I will be participating in National Novel Writing Month.  I have a little over a month to prepare for this monthlong journey and I’m already panicking with preparation, so I’ve decided to make a list on what I need to do:

  • GET ALL THE NECESSARY ITEMS: Notepads for scratching down notes: legal-sized is best because it allows you more space to get creative.  Get a Mobile File Folding Cart.  This filing cabinet if wonderful!  It’s light and very portable.  (If all goes well I am planning on beginning my filing system soon).  Get a mini-notebook to keep with you at all times so if an idea pops in your mind all you have to do is write it down.  File Jackets have saved my life as far as keeping things organized.  These large folders are big enough (depending on if you get the large size) to put your legal-sized notepad in.  Of course you’ll need pens, but you will need an eraser.  Since I’m in the editing process, you will need an eraser, on you love.  HERE is a link to the eraser that I have.  Sticky Notes are my favorite item to use when writing, editing or jotting down reminders about your characters to place on your computer screen.  Write an outline for your novel.  If you’re like me, you probably are beginning to wonder what to write.  Using an outline will prevent you for completely stressing out and might help writer’s block stay away…or postpone his visit until you write your next book.
  • MAKE GOALS: Writing 50,000 words seems like a lot, but it averages to be around 1,650 words a day.  It doesn’t seem that bad once you see the number, right?  I’m not saying that there won’t be days when you can’t even write 500 because there will, and that’s okay.  You can create a writing schedule for yourself, similar to a To Do List.  Say you write 500 words a day at the least and if you don’t make it, make it up during the weekends.  Don’t worry, you can do it!
  • GET A SUPPORT GROUP: Having a friend or a writing support group during the month of November, can be a wonderful thing.  If you’re up for it, have them read what you’ve written and talk things over.  If you bounce thought between each other, most of the time you’ll be lucky enough to get a burst of inspiration.
  • PUMP YOURSELF UP: Get excited!  If you’ve never taken part in NaNoWriMo before but have always wanted to write a novel, this is your chance.  You can do it!  If you have, then remember how it felt when you finished writing your first book.
  • WAIT FOR IT TO BE 12:00:01 ON NOVEMBER 1st of 2011: Now that you’re ready, all you have to do is wait for time to pass.  Remember to breathe to calm your nerves.  It’s important to not stress before you get going.
  • WRITE: It’s time to start writing and by then end of the month, you’ll be able to say, “I wrote a book in a month!”

It’s That Time Again

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In just over a month National Novel Writing Month starts and I’m ready…I think!  While I was interested in it last year, I was more focused on finishing my first book.  Since I finished it in March and am in the editing process, I’m itching to get back to writing!  While some of you know I have started writing another book “Somewhere Down In Texas,” I have another story that I want to write even more.  That’s why I plan on participating in NaNoWriMo in November, 100%!  I’m very excited about it because it serve me new challenges!  In the beginning of October I will be taking a six-week Memoir class from Gotham Writers’ Workshop.  A week later starts my Mystery class also to be taken from GWW, though this course is ten weeks.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m horribly nervous and anxious about these challenges, but I’m also very excited!  I can’t remember when I’ve had so much going on at one time!  (Not to forget that birthdays, a girl weekend and Thanksgiving will be somewhere in between…imagine me pulling my hair out right now).

I hope to get through this with flying colors thanks to green tea, visits to the library, support from friends and family and of course wine!  Please know that if you don’t see me blogging as much don’t worry, I will be back once November is over with.

So, who’s going to join me during the National Novel Writing Month?