NaNoWriMo MeMe

Stolen from Benjamin Solah's blog...with a question or two added by me...

In preparation for National Novel Writing Month next November, I thought it would be fun to look back at previous NaNo’s and answer some questions about how I take part in the event.

When and how did you find out about NaNoWriMo?
I found out about NaNo several years ago, but never actually tried it until 2008. I probably wouldn't have done well in previous years because I lacked discipline and a whip-cracking writing partner.

How many times have you done NaNoWriMo?
Once, 2008. Not quite sure what possessed me to do it while I was in the middle of moving to Japan, but I've never exactly done things the sane way.

How many times have you won? If you haven’t won, what was your best result?
Again, once.

How did you go last year?
Went great! Knocked out 11,000 words the first day, finished the book on the 18th, and had it subbed to an editor by the end of the month (she requested a partial on Dec 4). Ultimately ended up rewriting the book (Camera Shy), but I'm rather pleased with it. And I've managed to keep the momentum going, having completed 10 first drafts (3 of which have since sold) and 4 major revisions since finishing NaNo. This is why I encourage people to do NaNo: It conditions your writing muscles and self-discipline.

Where do you write and with what do you write?
I write on my laptop (Inspiron 1501, since you asked) at my desk. If I need a change of scenery, I'll take my spiral notebook (SHAG) or my Neo and either go to a different room or take a walk to a nearby restaurant to work.

How do you find time to write?
I write full-time (writing is my job), have very little social life to speak of, don't drive, and live in a country where I don't speak the common language. Pretty easy to find time. When I'm traveling or have other things going on, I make time.

Are your partners, friends and family allies or enemies?
Eddie is incredibly supportive. He's the only person I see on a regular basis. My friends and family are generally very supportive too. And of course, I have a writing partner, which helps tremendously (Scarlett, of course).

What are your strengths and what do you use to help you get to the end?
Speed, probably. I write very fast, which makes knocking out 50,000 in a month relatively easy. I haven't yet decided what I'm aiming for in November, but probably 100-150,000.

What are your weaknesses, obstacles and challenges that hinder you from finishing?
Procrastination. A story that just won't work. Laziness. For the most part, I can work past or around these things, but they do exist.

Do you plot/outline/plan or do you write by the seat of your pants? How much do you plot or how unprepared are you?
I outline, but very loosely. I make a list of chapters and a general description of what happens ("Characters X and Y meet", "Character B finds out Character A is sleeping with Character C"). I always end up adding to and deleting from the outline as I write, and most of the scenes work out differently than I imagined in the beginning. But at the very least, I have a general idea of what's going to happen and why. Since I write out of sequence, that's kind of an important tidbit to know.

Do you participate in the real life community, go to write ins and meet ups in your area?
They don't have any where I live. If they did, I'm not sure whether or not I would attend. I need minimal distractions while I'm writing. I could probably write with Scarlett in the same room, but she's about the only one.

What are your writing aids? Special snacks, music, totems, rewards or punishments?
I treat it like a job. Daily word count goals are ironclad (with few exceptions), and my OCD doesn't let me quit until the "words remaining for today" blank on my spreadsheet says "0". Think I'm kidding? Think again.

Also, I have Scarlett cracking the whip and demanding my next chapter(s)...there is no punishment greater than a displeased Scarlett, so I do her bidding even when I don't feel like it.

As cheesy as it sounds, my reward (besides the "0" on the spreadsheet) is the finished manuscript. Finishing a book doesn't make me stupidly giddy like it used to, but it's still a high that hasn't gotten old.

Oh, and Scarlett and I send each other pictures of mancandy as motivation too. Hey, whatever gets the words on the page, right?

What are the titles of your past and present NaNo projects?
2008 - Camera Shy
2009 - Not 100% decided yet, but probably Flight of the Rail and/or Kick. I've also got one possible book that is not yet titled (I'm sure the title ninja will remedy this once I've finished the outline and presented it to her)

Is hitting a certain word count really that important? Doesn't writing at speed result in writing crap?
Word counts are important to me. I don't believe that quantity and quality are mutually exclusive. I have discussed that here, but rest assured, there is an epic rant about this very topic in the near future.

Copy and paste this onto your blog and replace my answers with your own. You know you want to. All the cool kids are doing it.