Since the NANOWRIMO word counter seems to be on the fritz, I figure I’ll update here too. I’m at 6,612 words. I know, a little below day 4 minimum but I was having difficulties with the plot and spent most of the day free-plotting* in a notebook. Then, in frustration, I whimpered to John and he asked like 2 questions: “Whose the main character? What’s the setting?” and popped out an idea that got me back to the free-plotting and eureka, I had it. My conflict.

I gaped at him and he shrugged and said, “I have hundreds of ideas and chronic writer’s block.” I think being uninvolved in the insanity that is NANOWRIMO helps, too. I mean, how much can you write and think before your brain goes mushy? But, he’s being a dear, even asking me everyday how it’s going, and of course helping with the ideas when I’m stuck and not sure I can even write my own name anymore.

Anyway, I’m tired. Whew! This week is going to be insane. I have 2 huge tests, 3 works to critique, a job interview (and interview clothes to buy), and a lesson plan to write up. And I need to be at 15k by this weekend, too. Youch.

*Free-plotting is basically like free-writing, only it’s a little more structured and plot related. I put something I’m stuck about on the top of a notebook page. In this circumstance, “Who is the bad guy?” and then just begin listing possibilities: “virus, assassin, monster, government agency” anything. Then I web each option I like, putting the possible who, what, when, and whys down. I don’t restrict myself. It could be: “virus -> spread by ____? -> government experiment?” and just keep going with short phrases, ideas, possibilities, so on and so forth. Whatever I like, I choose and roll with it. Maybe I’ll upload my notebook page here later, if I’m feeling in a show-and-tell mood.

9:21 pm | Category: Nanowrimo | |

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