NaNoWriMo - The End!

Well, NaNoWriMo is over, finished, finito for 2010, and not only do I feel relief, I feel bereft! I really did not expect that emotion at all. I expected to feel relief as the pressure was so great, but I did not expect to feel that there was a gaping hole in my days! Friends and acquaintances have stopped asking about my book, as I have no more to tell them other than I have finished. But, I finish I did - just! The phrase 'by the skin of my teeth' speaks volumes about my final hours in November! And for that small achievement I feel very proud of myself. But I feel a little bit empty, like I have nothing left to talk about, write about or tweet about. My life is rather dull and I did not expect that!

I have written a YA novel, and that in itself is amazing! But, I am too scared to read it, as it is probably a pile of poo! I know that it will need a lot of editing, but I cannot bear to even open the document at present. How do writers let go? How do they get over their fear to let people read the product of their creative mind and face the comments and constructive (hopefully) criticism?

I have poured my heart and soul into this book and now I don't know what to do with it? It will probably languish on my hard drive for a couple of months until I can open it again and face reading it. A few of my friends have asked to read it, but I don't want them too. One friend who is a teacher of year 2 read the first couple of paragraphs and commented that it was "rather easy to read, " to which I agreed, but stressed that it is aimed at teenagers, not adults!

After that comment, there is no way I want anyone else to read it! But how can I progress if no-one reads it? I can't, so I must, but I don't want to let them! I know that I sound like a petulant child, but it is a big hurdle to overcome. So how do writers overcome it? Do they just bite the bullet, grit their creative teeth and send it out to agents or publishers? Do they post it on their blog, hoping to be discovered that way? Or do they just let their nearest and dearest read it, knowing that their comments will be toned down (hopefully)? Decisions, decisions.

I know that my work of creative fiction is not ready for anyone to read and I know that I need to crack on with the editing process, but I am scared. Scared I have wasted a month of my life, writing. I am not a writer, I know that, that title is reserved for the many talented people I have met and talked to on Twitter and Facebook. But, I do so hope to be, soon.

I'm Back Now!

I can't believe it has been over two weeks since I was last here, so if there is anyone out there that actually reads this (and I believe there may be), I am sorry if I have disappointed you. Anyway, I am back!

The reason for my absence is good old NaNoWriMo - it has take over my life in a way I could not have envisaged. I am obsessed by it. If I don't write on any particular day, I get twitchy and feel dreadfully guilty. I am constantly thinking about my characters everywhere I go, whether I am in the shower, out with the dogs or on a run. And I am actually beginning to think that they may actually be real!

My YA story has taken on twists and turns I could not have imagined. I have smugglers, wreckers, a twenty first century girl in love with a seventeenth century boy. There is a murder, a ghost and a seance! Oh and my lead character quite fancies and has had a few dates with a twenty first century boy! What a tangled web I have weaved. I LOVE IT!

The reason I started this blog was to encourage me to write, as I am a bit of a lazy mare to be honest, but the one thing I like about NaNo is that I feel that I have deadlines. I love deadlines. I work so much better under pressure and I have managed to keep up with the daily word count. I think my story is probably a pile of poo and will need so much editing. I would absolutely love it to be published, but I am so not that lucky, or talented. I am under no illusions, I am not an author, or a novelist - that is a prestigious title awarded to a few hard working and wonderfully talented writers. I have been fortunate to meet a few, and I follow some on Twitter. I am also fortunate to have known one from school. (You know who you are!) These writers do inspire me and continue to do so on a daily basis - for this I thank them.

You may have noticed that my blog space is devoid of any widget thingy to do with NaNo. I have visited the NaNo website to see if I can get a widget thingy for my site. Lets just say, that me and technology do not go together. I can't do it so I have given up. Anyone? All technical help welcome!

To brighten up the page, below is a photo of my desk - my work space - my oasis of calm - or rather my kitchen table!

I have had quite a lot of encouragement from my friends and my running club, they think it's great, but not so much from my hubby. As I am a housewife, my job is tending to house, husband and daughter, which I don't do too badly at. But and this is a big but, if I forget to do something like the ironing, well stand back. I get into so much trouble! Now hubby sees my writing as my hobby! Let me tell you, I am not impressed by that reference to my, erm, well, future career!

I can see his point though, as I have only earned fifty quid from my writing all year. I think if I ever manage to publish more than one article he might change his mind. I think if I do publish a book, he will have to eat his words. Not sure I will acknowledge him though!

It's Started!

The countdown has ended, the biscuits have been bought (and nearly eaten) and the cupboards are stocked full of every possible kind of tea you could imagine. (Including plenty of PG tips). NaNoWri has begun.

I have a plot, sort of, a setting, and a few characters, so it should be a breeze. If only.

Today I got off to a flying start and in between dog walking, the school run and physio, I have actually only had an hour or so to write, and write I did. I managed to churn out 1889 words of comprehensible paragraphs and sentences, and I managed to complete a chapter. I am actually really pleased and have rewarded myself with a couple of choccie biscuits. Yay, 50,000 words here I come.

Watch this space!