On Writing

Did I mention I'm writing a book?

Well, I am!

I started out with a good story idea from my husband, Jason, who has a constant stream of ideas at the ready that are not limited only to stories, but practical inventions, rules for society, and of course, band names and concept album titles. But one particular idea he had for a story seemed to have a lot going for it, so either I offered to write it or he told me to, I forget which, but the commission was made. I started with a few short stories and then forgot about it. He encouraged me and sometimes nagged me to keep on with it. "Sure, I will," I'd say, and then played Fallout 3 instead.

So, when National Novel Writing Month came around this year, which is annually in November, a friend of mine posted about it on Facebook and I figured it was a sign. This is a project to encourage writers to drum up a 50,000 word first draft of a novel in 30 days time. There is no prize other than satisfaction of completion. What there is, is nationwide support from thousands of other writers who are undergoing the same project. Within days, I was perusing through the NaNoWriMo (get it?) message forums, which were very slow by the way due to heavy amounts of online traffic. I signed up for a regional forum and found there are literally hundreds of people in my general vicinity doing the writing challenge, and events were set up at my local library that I can practically walk to.

Who knew?

So, I finished the 50,000 word count, by accident sort-of, since I was away over Thanksgiving and was offline using a tool that didn't have a word count function. Anyway, I finished the count, although the story itself didn't have an ending yet. All the advice on the website, and the helpful emails that NaNoWriMo puts together from published authors and founders of the site, said to give it a rest for a bit before returning to the draft for editing. But, it was important to come back.

That's the point I'm at. I'm halfway through a first general edit. I still have to write an ending for the story, but it helps to go through everything to clear up some inconsistencies. The story is a lighthearted supernatural mystery of sorts, and there is a lot of mythology and stuff to work through. Sure, I invented a lot of it, but it should probably make sense. I spent at least 8 hours one Saturday, and just as many hours on Saturday and Sunday of last weekend, going through this. I have this feeling it will never be fully revised but I'm at least trying, right?

I should make note that I don't exactly know what I'm doing. However, a friend invited me to a writer's group, which I attended once so far this year and may go back. Another writing group is a little closer in distance and at a more convenient time, so my plan is to check that one out before I commit to a group. Either way, I absolutely see the benefit in having a peer group evaluate work. It's a bit terrifying, but I made a promise to myself that I would clean up an appropriate length excerpt to submit for peer review. Then I'll run away and hide.