Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Update: Yep, I'm failing NaNo

As expected, I am failing NaNo.

Someone, please, ask me if I give a shit. Please ask.

There you are, thanks for asking. No, I don't give a shit.

And before anyone goes to bragging, my publisher was at 60k words on day 5. So shut yo mouf.

We all write at our own pace. I won't try to write at your pace, don't try to write at mine.

Me, I am right at 10kw for the month. That's not too shabby, but it's a 30kw/mo pace, short 20kw for a NaNo badge.

Where's that gal who asked me that question a second ago. There you are. You're a cutie, by the way, thanks for asking, and no, I still don't give a shit.

I've modified my workout -- I mean writing -- routine to accommodate a little more writing time.

I put more thought into my story and dove into it, hard.

I also am getting back to my ~method~.

You do have a ~method~ don't you? Here's mine.

I have to think on what I write, before I write it, for about an hour. At least an hour. I ponderize the scene until it's ripe and then I sit down and bang it out!

I used to use my drive into work to do this. I have a 45min to 1hr drive. Turn off the radio, turn on the ponderizer, and for an hour or two peck it out when I get to work.

I got back to that method and it feels wonderful! I write more at home (I use a pre-sleep method to think on my story for morning sessions). I worked in some writing time at my job (that's not an easy thing to do, you know).

And I gave myself permission to skip a little -- not much, but a little -- on the workout routine, in order to catch a few more scenes before they vape on me.

Anyway. That's my NaNo update 10days in.

Oh, and my baby is due any day now! Doc said she'd be surprised if my wife makes it through this weekend with that little baby still in her belly.

More on that later...

GLUCK on NaNo. I would say I'll get to your blogs soon, but that's optimistic at best. I will say this: I'll try.

How is your NaNo going? Are you failing as expected? Have you surpassed 80kw yet (as my publisher has done)? Did you forsake your medication for one month and let the voices take over (as my publisher has done)? Do you have a ~method~?

And WHY ARE YOU READING THIS POST WHEN YOU SHOULD BE WRITING!


- Eric

24 comments:

EC said...

Congrats. I didn't even try to fail. That makes me a total loser.

Loralie Hall said...

Congrats on the any-day-now arrival. I imagine that's got to be way at the top of your priority list.

My ideal writing method sounds a lot like yours. Which is the one unfortunate thing about having a 45 minute commute cut down to 10 minutes. Maybe I ought to try that medication thing you mentioned.

Charity Bradford said...

LOL, you had me in Stitches with the giant F.

I'm right there with you Eric, really stretching to reach 12k tonight. why am I here? Because I've ignored blogs for a week and it didn't get me any more words. So, I'm checking out a few that catch my eye as I breeze through my reader.

Hey, whatever we get is all good, right? Wish I was a little less concerned about the end result, like you though. As ML I feel PRESSURE, and I really want Scrivener at half off.

good luck, see you on the other side.

Wine and Words said...

Y'all sound like Mork and Mindy..."Nano nano"...remember them? No? Too young. Awwwww. I don't think I like writing in a method at a pace. But like I said, I'm no joiner. Kinda a rebel (shhhhh. no one knows.)

Good Luck!

Jai Joshi said...

Eric, you're a super man. Work and workout and Nano, and all with a baby due any day.

I'm not doing Nano but like you I write slower than others. That's fine with me. Writing slower helps me to stay sane and motivated. Things are definitely better that way.

Jai

Eric W. Trant said...

Yes, I remember Mork & Mindy! I remember the first season and I used to sit on my head on the couch.

- Eric

Stephanie Lorée said...

I'm failing for NaNo, but I'm doing exceptional for me. Which is all anyone should care about.

NaNo is a good impetus, but it's not the end-all.

Scribbler to Scribe

Roland D. Yeomans said...

I've been saying a prayer for your wife and your baby. As for NaNo, I'm a bit of a heretic.

I think it reinforces negative behavior patterns -- bulling through for quanity instead of striving for distilling a page into a half page of great prose.

Ouch~!

The cyber bricks have already starting coming my way!

Anonymous said...

Make that over 90k+ for your Publisher @ day 10, Eric.

Anonymous said...

http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user/525438

Melissa said...

I finished NaNo but I understand your sentiment. My book has been marinating in my head for TWO YEARS. I basically just used the last week to bang it all out.

Write at your own pace.

Good luck with your baby!

Murr Brewster said...

I guess it's easier than trying it in February.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I'm reading your post because I'm not participating in NaNo. So there!

You might as well not care, because after this weekend, you'll have a new focus in life.

Sarah Ahiers said...

NaNo is going well for me. I'm a few days ahead, which is where i like to be, and so far the "edit as i go" plan has worked really well

dolorah said...

Do you give a shit Eric (LOL).

I'm not doing NaNo either (didn't Mork also say neep, neep?) b/c I know I'd never buckle down to that much writing.

And I have two screws left Eric, not one. I come by to LOAN you one of them so you can tighten your schedule and get a little more writing time in. Man, wish I could write at work.

You're gonna need a couple more screws though once this baby gets here (is he here? I'm late coming by.) Congratulations Daddy-o.

And stick your tongue out at your publisher, then get back to work. You know inspiration is gonna hit any minute now and you'll surpass your word count goals.

You'll be so involved in the process you'll forget the new kid, and the other two, and your wife will have to come in a bop you upside the head.

Good luck Dude.

........dhole

Raquel Byrnes said...

Well just tell us how you REALLY feel, Eric. =)

I'm with you though...I didn't do NaNo and don't feel like I gave up much. Still doing my thing and writing in my own twisted, insomniac-driven way.

Nights are super quiet here and that suits me just fine.

I'm almost 30K into a book that put up a fight but I think I'm on a roll now...

Be sure to sneak something yummy into the hospital for your wife!
rb

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the new baby (which might be here as I write this)!!

I didn't do NaNo. Never intended to. Don't need to add stress to my life!!

Do keep getting writing the way you want to/can write. I'm cheering you on!!
Ann

Unknown said...

Good luck and all the best on the new family member!!

And yep, I'm NaNoing too. First time ever for me, and I'm finding it rather excruciating.

I don't think I'm made to write at this pace...I'm going to try and keep up with the wordcount, though, just to prove to myself that I can. Even if what I write is TOTAL UTTER CRAP.

*runs off to write since reading blogs is SO procrastinating*

Unknown said...

*hands over drunken elf*

There you go! Have fun with him, but beware, he WILL drink you under the table. Or the carpet, for that matter.

*runs off to FINISH WHAT SHE STARTED*

Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré said...

Hey Eric, do you give a shit?

Actually, I could've sworn I read a post you did about NOT doing NaNo and all the reasons why. Traitor!

And you used ponderize! It's one of my favorite nonwords.

Congrats on your new bebe. I'll keep you guys in my thoughts this weekend.

~Olivia

DavinKwriter said...

I, personally, agree with you Eric. I am at something like 18,000 words. There was a time, in the actual manuscript itself where I was at 25,000 by word count. I hated something like 20 pages of it. So I deleted them.

It was because I was writing according to the NANO idea of "just put the words on paper." While I appreciate it, I don't write that way. Well ... not often. I definitely can't write this particular novel that way. There is a "voice" I am trying to maintain and if I veer I start over.

I did consider changing my entry to another effort, a high fantasy deal about the rise of the Dragon King. Truly self indulgent piece of work if I say so myself. But I've already committed so I will also fail this year. Next year I will have a plan.

For now, I am enjoying the challenge. I work harder on this novel than I've ever worked on anything in my life. There is a challenge in the NANO competition that, for me, requires a response. Plus, and this is a huge benefit, there is the opportunity to network with other writers. My life has been a bit full of late, but you Rhino's out there will see me ... I hope ... soon!

Tara said...

Don't worry about NaNo - if you are writing *anything*, that's all that counts!

Lola Sharp said...

If Nano helped push you to write a little more or with a more scheduled regularity (hmmm, that sounds like poop-fiber medicine), then it's a success.

Also, since you haven't posted in a while, I am going to assume you are a new dad (again)...and I hope that all is well with wife and baby. Please send a quick update (or email me) so I don't worry.

Happy Thanksgiving, Eric.
~Lola

Phoenix said...

Awesome.

I failed at NaNoWriMo a few years ago and ended up writing a blog about how to unconditionally accept myself even when I fall short of my goals. So even when you fail something... you never really fail it. It's the trying that counts.

Also, I'm tempted to ask whether or not you give a shit just so that I can re-read the part later on where you call me a cutie. I'm a little pasty and gray these days from recovering from Teh Sick and in need of compliments. You know how it is. My ego becomes more and more fragile with each kleenex used.

I hope by now your wife has had the baby and you're getting even LESS sleep (more time for writing!). Have a wonderful thanksgiving and stay classy, Trant.