Seriously, I have no idea why you’re even listening to this today. You should be writing.
Ahead or behind, this is your last day to participate in this year’s NaNoWriMo. So, two last pieces of advice.
#1. Don’t submit this first draft anyplace. Seriously, ANY PLACE. Take some time, then re-write the heck out of it, polish it as much as you know how… THEN submit it. Seriously. That’s what I’m going to do.
Two days left.
You know the drill. It’s serious business.
But first, be entertaining! (or no one will pay attention to your sooper serious stuff!)
Your focus determines your reality. And what a storyteller does may have more impact than I had previously imagined.
The TEDx talk I mention here is at Doc Taylor’s website: http://doctravis.com.
Maybe it’s the combination of reading a LOT of Michael Moorcock’s views, but coupled with this talk, my mind was a bit blown last night.
Moorcock says “The medium is, to an important extent, the message, so if you’re trying to change the message you are sometimes forced to change the medium.” Breitbart (yeah, THAT Breitbart) says Hollywood is more important than Washington. And now this whole brain / quantum computer / entanglement stuff… it’s a lot to noodle.
Four days remain. By the end of today, you should be 45,009 words in to your new book.
As I said last time, I am just an amateur. Yes, I’m the ML for my area, but it’s not like that imbues me with special writer-advice powers. Yes, I’m five for five in NaNoWriMo books, but that doesn’t make me an expert or anything.
Day 26. You should be 43,342 words in to your new book. But if you’re not, do not despair. I’ve been reading my brand new copy of “Michael Moorcock: Death is No Obstacle” – a series of interviews between him and Colin Greenland (seriously, I am SO STOKED to have this you have no idea).
Anyway, in chapter one, Moorcock says that back in the day, he would write about 15,000 words in a day. So… yeah. He would pop one of these things out in a week or less. Had the thing down to a science – a science to which he added plentiful art. But that’s Moorcock.
No editing. Time to turn off the social media, put your head down, and push. PUSH! PUSH! But you can also switch some things up. Try to end things not on a cliche – turn it around a little. It’ll freak the characters out. Heh.
Yes, writers are evil.
Go Write!
40,008 words by the end of today. The last 20%. Here’s where things turn and you start towards the thrilling conclusion. Here’s where Goldfinger assaults Fort Knox. Here’s where the crew of Serenity decide to broadcast the signal. This is it.
Thrilling conclusion time. And you have 10,000 words to pull it off.
Good luck! And Go WRITE!
Another tip from Philip ‘Norvaljoe’ Carroll, and it’s a good one. Probably one of my favorites so far.
I don’t say this enough, but I am truly grateful to be associated in any way with everyone at Flying Island Press.
So, enjoy! And go write.
Yes, I am posting this before I post episode 21.
Figuring out why you are writing this book can be an important motivational tactic. What is it you’re trying to say? What is the impact you want to have on the world through this book? Take some time today and free-write that out.
And then, when you’re down, low, not feeling motivation, you take that paper out and remind yourself what it is that you’re trying to accomplish.
Go do good work.
Thou Shalt Not Wait For The Muse!
Complicate! Add Obstacles!
Sometimes You Have To Roll The Dice! (maybe literally
Shake things up (Chronologically!)
And if all else fails, steal.
Many thanks to Richard “mainframe” Green of the Geek Out with Mainframe podcast for today’s episode!
Go Write!
