Wednesday 15 November 2017

A Break From NaNoWriMo
Today is half way through the month and it's looking very unlikely that I will achieve my goal of writing 50,000 words in 30 days. Last night my total stood at 18, 241 words and if I carry on as I am I will reach my target on December 9th! I shall do everything I can to close the gap but I know there's a lot on in the next few days and life gets in the way. 

Last Sunday was the first and only day so far when I didn't write at all. I had a good reason. I attended the annual launch of Worcestershire LitFest & Fringe Flash Fiction anthology to read out my piece that had been shortlisted back in June and included in the collection. It was held in the Drummonds Bar of the The Swan With Two Nicks in Worcester, reputed to be the oldest pub in the city. This was my fourth visit and my flash fiction stories have appeared in each anthology since 2014. This year, instead of my hubbie coming along to support me, I was accompanied by writing buddy, Helen Beckett, who had three pieces included in the anthology, including two that had been shortlisted. Congratulations, Helen!

Photo courtesy of Polly Stretton and Black Pear Press

Photo courtesy of Polly Stretton and Black Pear Press

Nothing beats listening to a story being read by the author him/herself and this year was no exception. There was a huge range of subject matter. The event was ably organised as always by Polly Stretton. The event celebrates the genre of Flash Fiction.

"Flash fiction is a difficult craft to master. The best flashes have to invite one into another world, intrigue us, make us wonder . . . in three hundred words or fewer! We want to understand the characters, learn about their lives and feel their emotions . . . Every word must count, and what is not said is as important as what is."  

Here are Helen and myself reading out our pieces. We were both nervous but hoped it didn't show. The audience was very supportive as always. 

The anthology, entitled 'Wired' after the winning story of the same name by Christine Griffin, is well worth a read. You may buy it HERE: https://blackpear.net/2017/11/13/2017-flash-fiction-anthology-wired/

So, how is NaNo going? It was back to the novel for me on Monday. Having written something every day beforehand, I found I could easily return to my characters and immerse myself in the story without that 'starting again' feeling. Having NaNo buddies is a wonderful support as well and it helps when you see that they have life distractions, too. All our situations are very different but we all seem to agree that we have written more in the last fortnight because of our commitment to the project. I have more days ahead when I shan't be able to write but I hope to make a concerted effort on other days to close the gap. Will I reach my goal by November 30th? We'll have to see.

How about you? Are you participating this year? If so, are you happy with the writing you've produced so far? Are you itching to stop and edit? I'd love to hear about what NaNo is like for you. 

Thank you for reading the blog. You may also follow me on @JanBayLit and on my Jan Baynham Writer Facebook page.

13 comments:

  1. I'm way behind, but it's given me the shove that I needed to get started. I'm now dreaming about my characters as if they're real people! So many commitments are precluding my writing at the moment, but it doesn't matter - because I've made a start and I know I can keep it going. Thank goodness for the support from fellow Writers!xx

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    1. I feel the same, Sue. I have a busy family weekend coming up which I’m looking forward to. But, I’m pleased that I’m back with my story and by the end of NaNo, I’ll be well on my way to finishing the first draft of the WiP.

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  2. I think that's a great word count so far, Jan! I haven't really got off the ground with it this year, sadly! Good luck with the rest of the month :) Sam x

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    1. Thanks, Sam. You’ve got more exciting things going on . . . like the publication of your second novel, ‘Bad Sister’, no less! Can’t wait to read it; it’s next on my ‘To Read’ list. 🙂📚

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  3. Congratulations, Jan, to you and Helen for your shortlistings and inclusion in the anthology. 18,000 words sounds like quite an achievement to me, even if it's not the halfway total you were hoping for! All the best for the rest of the month x

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    1. Thanks, Sara. Family celebrations this weekend are more important and I’m looking forward to having everyone together. I’m happy to be back to the novel after a longish gap. 🙂

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  4. Congratulations on the ListFest event, Jan & being included in the anthology. And for getting 18,000 words under your NaNo belt! Brilliant! Had I been inclined (which you know I never am!) I'd have failed utterly. I've been unwell for a fortnight & I'm still recovering. No words have been written here, only a few scribbled notes. Frustrating but the way it is. Writing takes so much energy & it's in short supply. The good news is - it's given me an idea for an overdue blog post!

    Stay inspired Jan, by whatever & everything that inspires you. Whenever I read you about [your] writing I get a good feeling. xXx

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    1. Thanks, Carol. What a lovely thing to say. 🙂 I’m so sorry to hear you have been poorly and that’s taken you away from your writing. I look forward to reading your new blog post when you’re better.

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    2. Thanks, Jan. I've designated today Recovery Day One & there's a post up to celebrate! xXx

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  5. Congratulations to you and Helen for being included in the anthology. I hope you aren't disappointed with your Nano word count. The main thing is that Nano inspires us to write more than we would normally and you have so much else to juggle with at the same time. I agree wholeheartedly about the difference having Nano friends can make. I am enjoying Nano hugely as a result of our online group.

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    1. Thank you, Sue. No, I'm not disappointed because I've made more progress than I would normally have done. Knowing a group of fellow NaNo writers are encouraging you has been great, I agree.

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  6. I'm behind on my NaNo word count too - I keep getting distracted by short story ideas.

    Making the 50,000 word target is one way of winning, but I feel that keeping going and making as much progress as we can is another.

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    1. I agree with you there, Patsy. No 50,000 words for me this year but the progress I've made is more than if I hadn't committed to NaNo.

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