Pages

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Tuesday News—Writing and Dreaming

November is NaNoWriMo—National Novel Writing Month—and many writers plan to write a novel (50,000 words) in thirty days. That works out to about six and a half pages every day, which really doesn’t sound like all that much.

I wish I could do this, but I can’t. The process simply doesn’t work for me. I have tried writing a first draft from start to finish without editing or revising as I go, and have ended up with an overwhelming mess, much of which has to be cut. So I will continue with my pattern of working on the new book and revising Firefighter Daddy.

If you've been following my blog lately, you know I'm also “revising” my office, a little at a time. A fellow writer recently suggested that, as an added incentive, I should create a vision of what I’d like to have in my dream office. I’ve been daydreaming about it my spare time, and have come up with one thing for sure.

I want a big cosy armchair and ottoman. A place where I can sit and lose myself in a book, or sprawl with my laptop and write.

Or maybe a comfy old chaise that has plenty of room for me and a couple of cats.

Good luck to everyone who’s taking part in NaNoWriMo, to everyone who’s plugging along at his or her own pace, and to everyone who's working to make daydreams come true.

Until next time,
Lee

4 comments:

Gillian Layne said...

I'm so glad I'm not the only person out there that can't make Nano work. I love the friendship and the deadlines, but I have to stop and regroup every so often.

A cozy chair is a great idea. I needed a view, and I have one, thank goodness. It's all trees and our back fence, so I get to see the squirrels running around. I don't care for windowless rooms.

Lee McKenzie said...

Nano either works or it doesn't work, depending on the writer.

Gillian, I'm one of those writers who needs to spend some time every day going over what I wrote the day before and pondering where the story will go next. And since I'm not a plotter, it would be next to impossible for me to come up pages of "prewriting" notes, although I do make notes as I go.

As for the cosy chair, once I've cleared out some of the shelves and at least one filing cabinet, I will definitely have room for one in my office. And it will definitely go right next to my nice big window. Ah, the possibilities!

Unknown said...

Hi Lee!

I agree with you about Nano. All the more power to those who make it work for them, but I'm not one of them.

I have a chaise lounge and I love it! It's pretty tattered because the dog, the cats and the kids also love it. ;-) When I'm looking at new living room furniture, I'm going to get my chaise recovered. Keep us updated on your office progress!

Sheryll

Lee McKenzie said...

Hi, Sheryll. I find it fascinating that each writer has a unique process. I wish I could write a book in a month and not be completely overwhelmed by the subsequent revisions, but it's not to be.

Reupholstering your chaise to match new furniture is a great idea. Reuse, recycle, reupholster...that's my motto ;)