Half Time

Two weeks into this June’s NaNoWriMo, and you know what that means. I am halfway there! This is a rather conflicting time, because I am confused as to whether I should celebrate that I have made it this far, or despair that I only have two weeks left to complete a 50,000 word novel.

At the moment, there is a little more of the despairing side. Why? Well, at this point, most would like to look back at what they have written and nod in self approval at the work they have accomplished so far. I, on the other hand, look back and must wonder at how much of a selfish person I can be. Because honestly, only the most selfish of people could have started writing the way I did, sparing not a single thought to the future and their own poor future selves who will have to follow up on the senseless chaos they wrote.

The problem with trying to put together a whole story in such a tight time limit -for someone so lazy and fond of improvisation as myself-, is that thinking on your feet, while very effective in moderate use, leads to a quick burnout when attempted on a daily basis. I will give myself some leeway (because I’m nice like that) since this is my first try at an original story of this length, and I have the added pressure of the time limit. But for future reference, to myself and those interested in the lessons of a rookie, the next time I write a story with a time limit, pre-writing prep must include thorough notes on plot points to be my map. I gave much focus to building up characters, and ended up with two characters I know deeply, but that have nothing to do for 50+ pages.

Nothing too intricate for the plot planning: just taking note of three or four major events that will move and lead the story is enough. The rest, in my short experience, tends to fill itself out. So long as you know where you’re going and where you’re coming from. Otherwise I will end up halfway through a novel realizing that next to nothing has happened.

Onwards, to the rest of my tragically linear path I ride! May the Force be ever in my favor. (I will need a lot more than odds in this case)