I did not meet the 50k NaNo goal. The beauty in that statement is that I do not care, nor do I feel like a failure. Why? Because I have about 35k words of a great story. I broke the rules. I edited chapters over and over again. I did spell check, I did research, I did delete the crap I read and didn't like any more.
To me, writing is not about how fast I can write or how quickly I can reach a word count goal. One day if I have an agent and publisher that has me on a deadline, THEN I will reevaluate my feelings about rushing my work.
This past week I've been at Disney World with my parents. While some NaNo peeps were stressing on November 30th and trying to reach 50k, I was enjoying the magic of Disney and letting it inspire some fantastic ideas for my story. I even saw the cutest painting in the Wyland Gallery of...guess what?...yup, MERMAIDS! Yay! The artist is Jim Warren and I'm convinced everyone in the scene is having a tea party in my honor and toasting to the fact that my new story is coming along swimmingly, and that one day in the near future (hopefully), the world will have another fabulous merfolk story.
How did the rest of you do? How's your current WIP? What's magical in your life these days?
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Good for you Karen! 35k is great considering I only have 15k. But like you said, it's not about how fast you can write. As long as you get there, right?! Jim's painting is beautiful! I can feel the magic.
ReplyDeleteI didn't win NaNo either, I did the same thing you did with deleting and rewriting. I can't stand to have misspelled words to weed out later! I'm so interested in your mermaid story. Can I read it when you finish?
ReplyDeleteYou're mermaid book sounds like it will be really great :) and the painting, I feel, is one of those you can look at a thousand times and still see something new. I didn't win NaNo either and, like you, I don't mind much. I knew it was quits when I had the urge to work on my chemistry homework rather that work on it. I hate chemistry. I'm working on another manuscript now that I'm excited about, so, yay! lol
ReplyDeleteI am sooooo happy you were relaxed and inspired on your story while enjoying your Disney time with family. I'm sure it will show in the writing. And 35K is a great achievement.
ReplyDeleteWhile you were gone I posted about nano and an award I got and passed along to you, as well. I figured by your silent blog you weren't around, but it's there if you want it. Happy writing.:)
35k of something you're happy with is worth a whole lot more than 50k of something you're not. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I would ditch almost anything for a week at Disneyworld. No regrets. :)
Good for you Karen! Congrats on the 35 000 words! I would LOVE to go to Disney World. I have never been, but it is a dream of mine to take the boys one day. We went to disneyland just before we left the USA, but my son was only 1. Needless to say he doesn't remember it.
ReplyDeleteGood for you! Glad to read you had a great time at Disney... some things are just more important, it's all about priorities, isn't it? Have a wonderful weekend, Karen :)
ReplyDeleteYes! They are toasting you! I am so impressed with the fact that you got so far in one month. 35K good quality words are better than 50,000 not-so-good quality words. And how lucky are you to go to Disneyland!? Get outta town! I'm so jealous! :P - G
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on reaching 35k! Reaching 50k is not what matters, what matters is the experience while writing and walking with your characters.
ReplyDeleteMy WIP is coming along nicely. I am currently editing it.
Your mermaid story looks enchanting and I cannot wait to see it in future book stores!
Keep going, you'll make it.
My kids are magical. They grow and learn so fast! It's crazy.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had fun. I really love your mer premise and think you're onto something.
Although I'd love to do nano just to see if I could write that fast, I don't think it improves craft, just discipline. :-)
Here! Here! Rushed writing is worth about nothing. I didn't do NaNo, but I had a goal of rewriting my manuscript in November. It didn't happen. I only got about halfway through, but it's good stuff, not fluff. So, I'm with you. I will always take my time. Glad you had a great time at Disney, and congrats on your 35K word count!
ReplyDeleteI didn't participate in NaNo. I think anybody who gets more writing done than normal succeeds! That's what it's all about. Just writing. And with 35 K words, I'd say you succeeded quite beautifully!
ReplyDeleteI really like your blog and am intrigued by your Kinderly people. I'm going to pop on over to your website to learn more.
Thanks for the follow!
Katie
I agree with Katie, NaNo is a tool for helping you get more done than you would've. I think it's great you did 35,000 words. That's middle grade novel!
ReplyDeleteI like your attitude, Karen. Cheers, indeed. And, good grief, of course you're not a failure. You've done an excellent job if you have 35k words you are happy with.
ReplyDeleteI didn't sign up for nano because I knew I would spend too much time editing myself (I have about 8k right now and I've been working on this novel for months...). My son, who's 22 and currently undergoing chemo, signed up and managed to get to 50k. We have a bet going about which of us will get published first.
A trip to Disney World is always worthwhile. Glad you had fun.
Congrats on the amount that you did write. I was too afraid to even try. I've been a follower of your blog for awhile - thanks for checking out mine. Love the pictures you posted of the mermaids. The one of the fully dressed man dancing with the mermaid is perfect for a scene I'm planning to write soon. Artwork is one of the places I find inspiration to write.
ReplyDeleteI have an award for you on my blog!
ReplyDeleteStill, 35K is something to sing about! Congrats & kudos to you!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed Disney world & the mermaids. Inspiration is where you find it, right? :)
You are my hero Karen! 35K is awesome. I decorated for Christmas last week. My house feels a little more magical now :)
ReplyDeleteLOVE the mermaid tea party picture.. that rainbow looks familiar ;-)
ReplyDeleteWOW! I didn't do NaNo but 35K is AWESOME! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThat's the spirit--I just don't understand what people mean when they talk about "winning" NaNo. 50k in a month is a great goal but surely it's getting a workable piece down, not straining to reach a word count. I love looking around for inspiration in my downtime. It makes work fun!
ReplyDeleteFantastic! You took Nano and made it your own. You should be truly proud. ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Karen! I have an award for you!
ReplyDeletehttp://frankiediane.blogspot.com/2009/12/preparing-for-my-deal-awards-giveaway.html
Disney World?! I saw your tweets about it and wasn't sure if you were really there or just being snarky! But now I AM jealous! I definitely think reaching 35K in one month is an accomplishment to be proud of, especially if you're passionate about the story.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on 35K words to be proud of. And I adore all things Disney :)
ReplyDelete