NaNoWriMo – the power of a deadline

It took 29 days for me to write just over 50,000 words. The month of November was painful. Painfully rewarding to be more specific. Some days the writing seemed to pour from my thoughts to my finger tips. Other days, I was certain I didn’t have a creative thought in my head.

There were five days when I didn’t write a lick. I couldn’t anticipate getting sick, but life is filled with unforeseen events. On day 16, I fell dreadfully behind in my word count. Would I succumb to my 2012 false start? No, I would persevere. I would get up extra early and write. Even it it was drivel, it would be mine.

I told myself to forge ahead and never look back. Editing my writing would slow me down. I wouldn’t fall prey to second guesses and writers block. No, not this year. Wise to some of the common traps, I focused in on my target and the looming deadline.

I’m thankful for the organizers and volunteers associated with National Novel Writing Month and send my wishes to everyone who took up this crazy novel writing challenge. Whether you cross the finish line or not, there is honour in the quest.

For anyone who isn’t familiar with NaNoWriMo, I just read an interesting BBC article about it entitled, Does everyone really have a novel inside them?

For those who finish, I say Huzzah and offer my sincere congratulations.

Here’s to you and the novel inside you. May it come to life in meaningful ways.

It’s that time of year again…November is NaNoWriMo!

November used to be a month that I dreaded. Fall changes its tune. Leaves are sparse, the wind is colder and the days turn increasingly shorter.

In the last few years, I’ve come to love November. It is NaNoWriMo month. It is Movember. Men grow facial hair and folks around the world bang away at the keys and pump out the novel they always wanted to write.

November is National Novel Writing Month. It is time to get busy and write, write, write.

1700 words a day.

30 days

50,000 words and you’re done.

Always wanted to write a novel? Check out http://nanowrimo.org

If writing a novel is on your bucket list, why not give it a whirl. NaNoWriMo makes it easy.

Bring on November and happy writing.

Do you have an elevator speech for your book?

Imagine you’re on an elevator and in walks Katic Couric who introduces herself to you and asks what you do. You tell her that you’re an author and then the big question arrives, “What’s your book about?”

You have about 20 seconds to hold her interest and in what seems like a nano second, you’ll want to nail  your answer and tell her:

• what your book is about,
• who the book might appeal to (target audience) and
• if there is a specific author or genre you can compare it to.

These days we hear a lot about the need to have an elevator speech or a personal brand statement. People seem to be overloaded, overcommitted and attention deprived. Keep it short, cut to the case and engage them or they’ll pull out their smart phones faster than a gunfighter in a shootout at the OK Corral.

While you’re busy working on creating a personal brand statement remember that your book needs one as well. How easily can you describe the basic premise of your book so that your audience will quickly relate and more importantly be intrigued enough to want to read it?

Aside from having a great book cover, it’s important to be able to create a hook that captures the relevance of your work.

What’s in it for the reader?

Why should they read it?

Invest in the time it will take to crystallize the underpinning of your writing. Doing so will give you confidence when you’re asked that critical question, “So what’s your book about?”

It’s been a while.

I’m embarrassed. It has been several months since my last post. Yes, I’ve written, but not here. I’m glad to be back. In the last six weeks, I’ve been busy presenting on the Yin and Yang of Indie Publishing and doing my best to move the second book of the Three Words Trilogy forward.

It isn’t always easy. In fact, it can be downright hard to keep momentum and creativity levels topped up.

For me, a key element of ‘leaning into life’ means writing every day. Whether I’m writing for myself, for a client or for

my TV Talk Show, I’m still writing. I won’t wait for the acceptance of a traditional publisher. I will keep writing because it is what I must and need to do.

There are challenges with finding a perfect phrase, an ideal plot twist and ways to switch up, “she said” with something slightly more imaginative.

My second novel, The Space Between Us, is taking shape. I can see its bone structure and muscles.

If you’ve taken a break from your writing, give yourself permission to start again. No matter how long it has been, start banging on the keys. Forgive yourself for being away from something you love to do. Recognize that moment and then move forward. Make today the day you reunite with the words you need to write.

I wonder if…

As I develop the plot for my second novel, Waiting for Now, I find myself continuously thinking about the story’s main characters. Lovingly internalized,  I mentally place them in different scenarios. This is how my writing begins.

Given my intense love of music, I thought about creating a scene for Three Words related to a playlist that Morgan puts together for Miles.

In celebration of publishing Three Words to Amazon’s The Kindle Store, I’ve decided to include an uncut scene along with a playlist.

I couldn’t slow my breathing. I felt such nervous energy at the thought of seeing Miles again. The memory of our evening at Tosca was intoxicating. Somehow I wanted to mark its impact on me. “I know, I’ll put together a playlist.” My words danced from my lips as my face moved closer to the Macbook screen showcasing the iTunes Store.

As if to a beat, I tapped the fingers of my left hand rhythmically and pulled down a list of songs I considered worthy of Miles’ playlist. “Hmmm…I wonder if he’ll like this?” I suddenly delighted at the thought of Miles listening to song after song. Would he capture the message? Would he pick up on the subtle nuance? Somehow, I instinctively knew he wouldn’t miss a detail. My breathing quickened as I typed the playlist track titles. 

Without waiting another minute, my fingers flew over my BlackBerry’s keypad crafting a calling to him. “Last night inspired my love of music and I took the liberty of creating a playlist for you. I hope you don’t mind.”

I took a deep breath, closed my eyes and gently began rubbing my temples. What was I thinking? Am I crazy for doing this? What will he think of me? At the thought of my rash gesture, my head pounded with sudden pangs of regret. “What is wrong with me?” I scolded myself as I undressed for bed. It was too late now. There is no turning back. All I can do is wait and hope for the best.  

Squinting as if the screen’s glare was brighter than the midday sun, I looked over the playlist tracks again and felt the intensity of absolute vulnerability strip every ounce of my earlier bravado.

Spectrum (Say My Name): Florence + The Machine

The Way It Is: The Sheepdogs

Gold On the Ceiling: The Black Keys

Hold On When You Get Love and Let Go

When You Give It: Stars

New Slang: The Shins

The Grand Optimist: City and Colour

Too Close: Alex Clare

My Tears Are Becoming A Sea: M83

Laser Focus or DayDreaming Again

I’ve come to the realization that my second novel won’t write itself.

I have to actually make time to sit down and write it instead of blogging on http://www.soulsformiles.com and here at http://www.sdcranston.com.

I know I’m getting to the point where I have to sequester myself for a few days to move this novel forward. Yet I find myself daydreaming all the time and to the point where I sometimes forgot where I am. Earlier this week, my daydreaming played itself out in a potentially dangerous way. Driving on the 401 toward Toronto, I was so caught up in a scene between Morgan and Ulrich (a new character), that I completely forgot what I was doing. When I realized what had happened, I  frantically gripped the steering wheel and eased my foot off the gas. Perhaps it was only a few seconds, but I’m taking it as a sign that I have to dedicate time to move from mentally writing to physically typing.

Later that same day, an image came to mind of a First Nations statue I photographed while in Ottawa last month. His features were intense and with a laser sharp glare, he held a determined focus on his target. I found myself envying him and wishing for that kind of dedication instead of my current plight; paralyzed by perpetually daydreaming about my characters and their varied exploits.

Guess it is like that with just about everything; life happens. We allow things to get in our way or we say ‘yes’ to more commitments than we should.

If I show up at work today with two mismatched shoes, I’ll know that the daydreaming has taken over again and it will be time to run home, find my quiet corner and bang on the keys.

When Lightning Strikes

Sometimes lightning strikes and… we meet someone who holds our interest, energizes us and makes us think. They have charisma. From the moment we happen upon them, we are somehow changed. At times, interacting with people who embody these traits …

Whew…shocked and tickled pink

The first reviews of Three Words have trickled in. Late last night I checked my email and there it was, a message with the subject line, “Book Report”. It was from a colleague currently vacationing in Waikiki. (I know, life is tough for some). Pausing before opening it, I took a deep breath and cautiously opened the email.

What was this? He actually liked it? This generous feedback from someone who is so brutally honest, I feared the worst in the silence that prevailed these last few weeks since he downloaded the novel from iTunes.

An extract, just in case you think I’m lightheaded from drinking too much Fresca these days:

—————–

 Susan, finished you book today. 

I’ve attached a picture where I finished reading it. This is the top floor patio at the resort we are staying at in Waikiki. Not a bad spot to enjoy your book. 

I am impressed. I really enjoyed your book. I still can’t believe you were able to find the time and energy to put together such a good work. And you’ve got two more to do.

I have to admit this the first romance, or anything like that I’ve ever read that wasn’t in an English lit course, but did enjoy it. Liked the characters and the story and its pace so I’m looking forward to the next book and how Morgan handles her predicament.

From the shores of Waikiki beach…Take Care

—————–

Encouraged now, I’m finally ready to tackle book II, “Waiting for Now”, which I plan to finish October 1.

Hold me to this deadline, will you?

A character to love.

What makes us love a novel’s character? I’ve given this question considerable thought and subsequently developed a few notions on the subject. We love characters who remain true to their core and who are authentic whether noble or villainous. This …

Hemingway’s Well.

In the spring of 1958, Ernest Hemingway agreed to an interview with George Plimpton for The Paris Review. Earlier today, I carved out some quiet time to read the interview. Almost instantly, I found myself captivated by Hemingway’s responses. His thoughts re-opened my mind and soul to a connection I have for a man I’ve never met, but feel I must know. His views are authentic, harsh and energizing all at the same time. Alive yet pained, timeless yet broken, he observed life and offered eternally relevant comments on art as an influencer, and comparisons to writers as wells. He stated that all writers are like wells and that there are many different types of wells just as there are many different types of writers. The trick, he said, is to have good water in the well and not to pump it dry, but write to a point when the words flow and you know where the story will lead. It allows the writer to have a good place to begin the next day.

As I journey along in the shoes of a fledgling novelist, Ernest remains an inspiration to me in countless ways. More than the result of his writing, it is his life, habits and influencers that continue to enthrall me.

Similar to Hemingway, I rise early (often well before 5 a.m.) and employ the still of the tranquil morning to harness my thoughts and begin. I don’t over-think the process. Similar to surfing, there is a point when the wave catches you from behind and you simply have to let go and allow it to move you forward as you attempt to stand and ride it in. When I feel the ‘wave’, I simply write and let the characters speak to me.

I know there are many how-to books offering recommendations about novel-writing. I’ll admit that I’ve read a few, but I continue to fall back on my simple truth; I love the characters I write about. I don’t write to be published, I write for the pure love of it. There is nothing I’d rather do. Not knowing where the story will take me, I do know how the characters will respond to any circumstance for you see; they are all a part of me. They are as real to me as the keys I’ve banged on to create this blog.