As you can probably tell with the lack of posts and minimal comments on other blogs or social media platforms, I am still thoroughly engrossed in NaNoWriMo 2016. The good news is that I’m still flying. I don’t know whether it is the book idea or whether it is the fixed goal of 50K words in a month, but on my full writing days I’m achieving between 3000 and 4000 words a day, even on days where I feel I’m trying to chisel each word out of rock one at a time. This compares to 2000 on a good day when writing my previous novels. If there’s only one thing I take away from this process, it’s that I can write a lot faster than I originally thought.
The story itself is progressing nicely. I’m still in love with my main characters, the world is filling out nicely and there haven’t been too many deviations from plan. I do know, however, that there will be a lot of work to do during the edit.
Also, the story went through a dark phase last week – a prime example of art reflecting life. I found myself rewriting sections because this is a book aimed at older children, and while there’s nothing wrong with scaring children a little bit – look at Roald Dahl’s stories for example – I don’t want to traumatise them. That said, I’ve now come out the other side – at least in my writing – and I’m still on course to beat the 50000 words by the end of November. In fact, as you can see there is a good chance I’ll pass that mark next week!
This then leads me on to my next challenge. I’ve estimated that the whole of this draft will be around 65,000 words, so my new target is to try to finish the full draft by the end of the month. This is going to be tight as my weekends are fairly booked up between now and then, but it’s good to keep on pushing.
So how are the rest of you getting on? I’d love to hear from you.
Suffolk Scribblings 
Good work, Dylan. I’ve been watching your progress as a Writing Buddy and cheering you on (although you might not have heard me). I’m ahead of deadline, but only just barely, hovering between 1500 and 2000 words per day. Went to a write-in last night, and when attendees finally stopped chatting, I was able to write about 1000 words in 90 minutes. If I could only get myself to do that while at home! Keep writing!
Thanks, Lizzie. I’ve also (quietly) been cheering you and my other buddies on. Personally, I think being ahead of the deadline is a great effort. So many people try this and struggle so getting to halfway through and being ahead is a real achievement.
I’ve not attended any write-ins. I’d like to but I just can’t fit it in with all my other commitments. It sounds like it (eventually) worked for you!
well done and keep going; think of it like a Cook innings – all grind and no gloss and don’t over think the plays and misses….
I so wish I’d thought of that analogy. One fire the cricket purist. Lovely stuff!
One “for” the cricket purists. This is what happens when I answer with my mobile!
Well done! I’m not getting such big daily counts as you, but I’m in there!
Great stuff. Keep going!
Well impressed! I’m struggling to say the least!
Are you still writing? If you are, then it doesn’t really matter how many words you end up with as some words are better than none.
I’ve written 15k so far and reckon that’s not bad since I’m writing lots of other stuff too and cleaning bathrooms, animals etc. I’m still only about two thirds through revising the original 42k so adding 15k to that suits me as a track record.
Yay! Well done Jane! I may have written more on my WIP but all other writing (other than two very short blogs) has ground to a halt. I am still cleaning, cooking, waking, looking after children etc. Honest!
I was astonished to discover that there are people, normal human beings, not bionic or androids, who actually reached and passed the 50k mark in the first 24 HOURS! My reaction, I’m afraid was not, congratulations, but, why?
I suppose people do it for the same reason as they climb Everest, because it’s there. No idea how, though, or even what state the draft would be in once finished.
Gibberish I imagine, or a stream of consciousness thing.
Keep your head down we are all rooting for you.😇
Just missed my revised total of 10k. It was close. The story is cooking though so I’m happy.