NaNoWriMo 2018: week one gets off to a bad start

It’s that time of year again: National Novel Writing Month, affectionately called NaNoWriMo. Like last year, I’m writing something I’m plotted in the hope to get a glut of words around a story idea I can then edit into something like a novel. Last year it worked, kind of. (Final edits still pending but I’m hoping to start sending it out in January. Fingers crossed.)

Every year is different and this year I’ve planned very badly. I’m out more in November than I should ideally be and I started the month by going away for four days on a strictly non-writing weekend. I’m running about a day behind, eating that difference up a little every day.

It’s difficult at times, this writing thing. I think last year’s outline was a little more complete than this year’s. This year’s vague outline is adding to my confusion. I sit on the bus in the morning, willing my fingers to write words and find myself staring out of the window, fingers still.

Then I come upon a scene I think will be fun and vehement clickety-clackety ensues. The trick then – and I’m glad I’ve worked this out eventually* – is to plot only scenes that will be fun to write.

For inspiration I’m reading Barbara Pym’s Excellent Women. She does a lot with conversation and tight description.

Word count 07/11/18: 10,278

* I haven’t really worked it out. I forget. Every time.