I hope you’re working hard on your NaNoWriMo project! Me too—I’ve spent the morning doing my admin/marketing tasks, and am about to move into my first writing block of the day. 5000 words, here I come!
But first, you gotta see this…
I love this picture! Why—because it’s not only a cute pix of my hubs and son making dinner, but it also represents TEAMWORK. See, they know I have a big project I need to get done, so they’ve committed (actually hubs—he voluntold my son into the project) to making dinner during the weekends so I can get extra projects done.
Heroes, right?
During NaNoWriMo (and other intense writing times) I ask my people to share more household duties, including shopping, cooking, cleaning and I pare down the expectations. Listen, I’m about to give them a fantastic holiday season, filled with decorations, goodies, delicious dinners and full stockings. They can live lean for a few weeks while I write. :blush:
Activating your Team is one of the success strategies I’ve used for years to get my NaNoWriMo project done.
Last week I shared with you another—Plan your writing sessions, (and show up!)
Today, I have one more for you—
JUST BUILD THE FOUNDATION.
As you know, we recently finished building an addition on the house. Before we could paint, or install curtains, or even hang pictures, we had to design it, build the frame, install the windows, run the electrical and sheetrock.
Just the basic stuff.
The basic stuff in your novel is: Who (Protagonist), does what (goal) , why (motivation), or else (stakes), BUT (Conflict)…and he is changed HOW.
This is the foundation of your novel. Answer these questions in your story first. Then you can add the storyworld, the metaphors, spruce up the dialogue, and jazz up your writing.
I know people who write a chapter, then go back and fix that chapter, and they continue to polish it until they get it right…and NEVER finish their novel. (because we can always make things better, right?) DON’T GET STUCK DECORATING (aka, rewriting). Wait until your novel is finished. Then you’ll have a good look at it and be able to add in the layers that will bring your story to life.
So:
- Plan your work sessions
- Ask your TEAM to help pick up the slack
- Focus on the Foundation
I’ll have another trick for you next week. Until then—you got this. Just do today’s work. Write today’s scene. Don’t look too far ahead. You’ll get there.
And most of all…enjoy!
Your story matters! Go write something brilliant!
Susie May
P.S The 2021 Your Story Matters: My Brilliant Writing Planner is out and RIGHT NOW we have a Buy One, Get One ½ off special. These make fantastic Christmas gifts for the creatives in your life! And, we have 4 brilliant sizes. Check them out here. And use code: BOGO-FALL-2020 to get your ½ off!