First Draft Idea That Blows My Mind…or…Does it?

Karen Wiesner wrote First Draft in 30 Days and has these suggestions for the dedicated, determined writer.

So, here we are in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). For non-writers, that means kissing your writing friends good-by for 30 days! If you follow Karen Wiesner’s plan, you may need to pick them up off the floor and apply chocolate! (She must have amazing stamina!)

After you brainstorm your idea, you begin your month-long draft with these tasks: Day 1– Character sketches, Day 2– Research/Setting, Day 3– Plot Sketches, Days 4/5– Summary Outline, Day 6– Scene notes, Days 7-13– Research, Days 14-15– Write the beginning, middle and end, Days 16-24– Format an Outline, Days 25-28– Complete Outline, Days 29-30 Format and Stow the story to rest. I say that you’ll need Day 31– collapse!

I don’t see how anyone with a life beyond writing can do this. I’ve never been brave enough to try NANoWriMo; how does anyone stay this focused for 30 days? How much of the actual story gets written? Clunk, Bang, Clunk, Whirl. Wheels are spinning now.

Guess what? I’ve decided I’m crazy. I think I might try this. Because I am working on marketing for 84 Ribbons, I’ll give myself two months of half days for writing. That puts the pressure on me to market faster, which may be a good thing. I’ll check back on this blog once a week so stay tuned.

Hm-m-m. I’m getting super excited about this. I have Days 1, 2, 3, and most of Day 4 done for When the Music Stops. Today is Nov. 7th. If I count 2 days for each day on her plan, I’m almost of schedule. Cool. Let’s see how long I can burn up the dance studio floor (that means stay with this). Hopefully, you will check in on me and encourage me to keep going. It will be our little secret and my Happy New Year’s Day, 2014 present to myself.

Stay tuned!