During Camp NaNo, and I know it will extend well beyond, I feel the same thrill of climbing that mountain again. There are dangers along the trail, most certainly, and there will be stumbles and pitfalls. But wonders appear at every turn of the path. The pinnacle is in reach, a story complete, and I can see it shining above the clouds.
Category: NaNoWriMo
Shadow Of A Doubt
Every writer gets to a place in their story where they question the value of their words. Is the story good? Will it engage the reader? Are my characters deep enough? Is there enough action to move the story forward?
This is the writer’s stress. The self-doubt that always creeps in. I picture it as a little shadow person, crawling toward the Muse, who is laboring away in an act of devotion.
The Muse bows at the keyboard, pouring soul and spirit into the words on the screen. The shadow creeps closer, its hands outstretched, clawing fingers ready to strangle. Its mission is to kill the muse. Its name is Doubt.
On a Roll
Not that kind of roll. I’m on Day 12 of NaNoWriMo and have written 18,790 words. That’s better than I’ve done in the last several tries, and I am actually excited about this story. Considering the fact that I just sat down and started typing without any plan or focus, or even the glimmer of…
Exploring the Story
Writing, for me, is often like an archaeological dig. I start out delving into what I think will be, and find new discoveries along the way that change my whole perspective, teach me about the people involved, and rewrite the world’s history. I enjoy getting to know my world and its characters as much as I enjoy letting them tell me where they want to go, and how they want to get there.
Here We Go Again
Yet, my own daydream is to someday be the reclusive writer who does nothing but write, publishes enough to really earn a decent living at it, and doesn’t have to do book signings or give interviews or deal with the ups and downs of the human race on a daily basis. I would live surrounded by nature, with only my beloved immediate family close by. I’d have my dog, and my cat, and a guppy or two(hundred), and Starlings around me for conversation during my long days tapping at the keyboard and creating magic.
Life Happens
Well, it appears that health (and other boring necessities) have derailed me, once again. I find myself scrambling to get things done, stressing over time constraints, and finding that the day to day routine has me totally sidelined. I’m still writing, though have not been able to keep up with the NaNoWriMo quota. I’ll keep…
Gayle Nastasi 