I don't know how I wrote a whole book. It doesn't feel real. I mean, it is a not a very good book but it's the first draft so it doesn't need to be, it is mostly book-shaped and that's what matters.

It's an impressive accomplishment.

Every year I think about doing NaNoWriMo, and every year I chicken out.

I don't actually want to write a novel. I just want to have written a novel.

I don't actually want to write a novel. I just want to have written a novel.

Yeah. I want the ideas in my head to fall out and assemble themselves magically.

I want the ideas in my head to fall out and assemble themselves magically.

Transcription of the movie in my head into coherent prose.

It doesn't feel real.

Like I said, great but weird. :-)

I want the ideas in my head to fall out and assemble themselves magically.

In my experience, the worst thing is to think about writing a novel. But thinking about jotting down notes first, and later about writing a scene, or a set number of pages a day (or even a set number of scenes a week), can help break down what seems monumental into doable.

Wasn't thought-to-text transcription on the BBaBB to-do list?

In my experience, the worst thing is to think about writing a novel. But thinking about jotting down notes first, and later about writing a scene, or a set number of pages a day (or even a set number of scenes a week), can help break down what seems monumental into doable.

Two things that have helped forced me to get writing done are external deadlines and writing partners. The former are often set by the latter.

I would love to get back to writing my novel because I actually like it and miss my characters, but I had to back burner it for reasons relating to marital harmony and parental responsibility. sigh. But I've been depressed ever since. I need to find a time when I can write again.

My writing has come back to me. I think the end of worrying allowed me to do "frivolous" stuff again.

Two things that have helped forced me to get writing done are external deadlines and writing partners. The former are often set by the latter.

I was supposed to finish my first draft by my birthday this year, so I am...very early.

I wrote 63% of it this year, slow and steady, with a target wordcount each day and a tracker to keep me motivated. Some days I went for glory and exceeded my goal like hell; only a few days I had to settle for less.

The first 37% was mostly written in a couple marathon sessions at the Writing Excuses Retreat and then over Christmas break.

I was working off an outline, and even though I did not deviate from it on a macro standpoint, I added a hell of a lot of scenes and characters and one plot twist involving two characters who weren't in the outline anyway because I sure was just making shit up as I went along. Of course I also hit a point where I'd been so concerned about moving forward that I forgot to set up a very important character moment but I just made it happen because plot and will figure out how to make it work better later.

Also there are so many continuity errors because I forgot what I had written weeks or months ago. But that is all for later too.

Everything is for later. I'm letting it sit for a month like you're supposed to. I have a solicited story to write anyway.

Good job, man. Way to do the thing.