How to Win at NaNoWriMo, While Not Winning

November was chocka-block with writing posts – as I am sure many blogs were. For those following my NaNo updates – you brave reader! To those oblivious to the tribulations of we band of NaNoWriMo sadists (on some days it does feel like that), you will be glad my NaNo posts end with this week’s offering. Last Sunday was the final day of hairpulling and frantic scribblings.

However I must admit, I feel like a bit of a fraud. While others have managed to produce NaNo winning tales (of at least 50,000 words) others have produced epics of well over 100,000! I am in awe. How did they do it? I have just past the half way milestone.

But am I bovvered? (As in the words of Catherine Tate)

No.

In fact, I feel like a winner.

I had decided to attempt my first full NaNoWriMo to give myself a kick in the writing pants. After seven months, I had hit the dreaded middle of my story. I was determined to push past it, to finish the first draft of the manuscript of The Department of Curiosity. Unfortunately, life hit a very unexpected turn at the end of October. I gathered my courage and made some difficult decisions, then threw myself into writing as a means of distraction.

My original goals were achievable – finish my first draft manuscript (about 37,000 words), blitz my monthly word maximum of 15,000, try freewriting to get through the soggy middle of the story and find an ending.

I managed three of these goals.

The bonus? I got back into the habit of daily writing (I need to treat this as a job for at least three months) and discovered my maximum achievable daily word count (without effecting my health).

So, NaNoWriMo is over.

– It was my first foray into the full NaNo.

– I did not expect to reach the 50,000 word winning goal.

– I had too many real life and health issues going on.

– I had about 11 days where I could not write due to family commitments and health issues; I am happy with the 27,000 in (effectively) 19 days.

– My new monthly maximum word count is 27,000 words.

– My goal was to finish my manuscript (about 37-38,000 words). I finished over half way to the lofty goal of 50,000 and within sight of finishing my manuscript. This is not officially a NaNo win but I have progressed from 50% to 86% of my first draft completed!

I consider I have won on this one.

How to Win at NaNoWriMo, While Not Winning

December Flash Friday, the First: Micro Fiction

This week I present you with a micro fiction story (less than 100 words) Micro fiction provides an excellent exercise in sparing words and ruthless editing. This was one of my first attempts at this form, written for a children’s flash fiction competition, in 2013.

MUM’S THEORY ON CATS

by Karen Carlisle. © 2013

“That damned cat!” There was a blur of black under Mum’s feet. “It just appears out of nowhere.”

Binky now sat cleaning himself. Watching.

“He is always watching,” she said as she rubbed her ankle. “No doubt, smiling at his handiwork.” She glanced in his direction. The spot was now vacant.

“See! Maybe he has gone off to report back to the alien mothership?” Mum grinned mischievously.

I found Binky in my bedroom, staring into the air and mewing. The air shimmered before him, revealing a feline hologram that listened intently. It disappeared. I gasped. Binky winked.

“Ssh, our secret.”

THE END

December Flash Friday, the First: Micro Fiction

December Flash Friday month Info

Summer can very hot here in South Australia. My brain feels fried; I can be a bit unpredictable. Maybe this is why I write more flash fiction during this time?

Each Friday this month, I will post some of my unpublished flash fiction* short stories. As a result (just for December) my Thursday posts will be made on Fridays (because Flash Thursday does not have the same ring to it)  – so look up my website on Fridays and Sundays from 10.30am  (CST Australian time).

Merry Christmas!

December Flash Friday month Info

My Early Christmas Present to You - December Flash Fridays.

Over the past few months, I have noticed that many of you enjoy my garden posts, love the photos on my costume and art posts but, most of all, you seem to love the posts where I share some of my writing. (at least that is what the stats say).

So, in accordance to your wishes, I am declaring December as Flash Fridays Month. My early Christmas present to my readers – that means you!

Occasionally it is fun to pen a short, short story. Just a peep into one of the many worlds I have buzzing around in my head. I have decided it is time to share some of my flash fiction.

What is flash fiction?

Word count definitions vary depending on the source. Under 1000 words seems to be a general consensus.  (then there is micro fiction – under 500 words).

My first offering, next Friday, was written in 2013. I hope you enjoy it.

My Early Christmas Present to You - December Flash Fridays.

Of Schedules, Writing and Real Life Integration.

It has been an interesting month. I have been adjusting to having more time, less anxiety and attempting to organise my time. NaNaWriMo has been a great impetus to get back into the habit of daily writing. I have discovered that my comfortable limit of pushing myself (if that makes sense) is 1000-1500 words per day. If I aim for 1800 words more than a few days in a row, I crash and burn. Thus was born a three-day migraine (helped along by some finishing up paperwork on the ex-day job.)

NaNoWriMo Day 23 was a write off.
Day 24: was more productive; I pushed through the remnants of the migraine and managed the first words since Friday. 1214 added to chapter 13 today. I took a well deserved break, dosed up on painkillers and watched some Miss Marple. I won’t make the 50,000 word ‘win’ but will attempt to finish the first draft manuscript (just over 15,000 words). There is still hope.
Day 25-26: I wrote my way through a lingering migraine and somehow managed roughly 1000 words a day. I shan’t read these words until I start rewrites, as I shudder to think what crap issued forth under the influence of prescribed painkillers.

NaNoWriMo word count. Day 26:
Total Words- first draft:  

By my calculations, I have lost about a week of writing time (and a possible 7,000 words). I can live with this. I was spurred to make an effort to organise my day. Somehow I have to fit in the following, possibly in this vague order:

• breakfast


• empty/fill and run dishwasher


• water the garden if it will be over 30 degrees C (and I forgot the night before)


• See what is happening in the world of social media -


• catchup on podcasts, read web articles on writing, blogs etc


• 10am- 2pm writing


• Don’t forget to have lunch and try to get up and move around every hour (I have set a reminder)


• school pickup


• a load (or two) of clothes washing


• some gardening (depending on heat)


• possibly more writing in the evening or before dinner


• dinner


• Downtime. Family time. Catch up on fave tv show taped. On Wednesday I get some more writing in at the Writers’ Race.


• Don’t forget to water the garden if next day over 30 deg C. I try to water the vege and fruit tree pots every 2-3 days so they will not dry out.


• Sleep.

That is not too much to ask of myself, is it?

The Department of Curiosities – Manuscript Word Progress: (83.32% first draft)
At 1st draft only:
Revised Words: 
Total Words:  

Of Schedules, Writing and Real Life Integration.

Portable Art - The Perfect Present/ Zazzle Sale

Portable Art! Carry it with you!

Zazzle is having a sale – 40% off cushions plus 10% off your all orders – just in time for Christmas presents.  Perfect time to purchase one of my mugs. Pop over to my shop at Zazzle -Katdb42, purchase a mug and use the code: NOVPILLOWS4U  Then enjoy.

Or Buy Direct from the Artist.

The Question Mug: $20 + postage.

This design is exclusive to Direct Online sales from my website, Personal Appearances, or at The Rare Notion, Adelaide.

Contact me to purchase this mug.

Paypal payments preferred.

Don’t want to pay for postage?

You can purchase this mug at:

The Rare Notion Shop

110 & 112 Balcony Level, Adelaide Arcade, Adelaide, South Australia

Comfy Cusions with Steampunk flair

If you are looking for cushions, I have some steampunk ones at my Redbubble Store at great prices.

Portable Art - The Perfect Present/ Zazzle Sale

A Well Earned Break. Shiny!

NaNoWriMo Updates:

• Day 20: Chapter 13 continues… I really don’t think I will finish the entire saga by the end of this book. Rethinking endings to tie up the major storyline while allowing others to be elaborated on later.


• Day 21: Revenge of the Migraine. I have now discovered my daily maximum writing limit and what happens when I exceed it


• Day 22: A well earned break. One day of Supanova, costumes and crowds (not so keen on the crowds). Is it sad that I took a notebook and wrote down some story ideas.

Yesterday was my fun day. Supanova came to Adelaide once more. I have been busy writing so (ashamedly) I have not made any headway on my Queen Victoria costume. I must rectify that for Comicon 2015. (Remind me, dear Reader.) As one of the guests was Alan Tudyk (Wash from Firefly – my hubby’s favourite SF show), we decided to do matching outfits – and I mean really matching! Our daughter was keen to get in on the action.

Some time ago my friend, Anwyn, made us Jayne hats in return for an unwanted hat stand. (I think we got the better deal.) I suggested she make mine purple (as a joke). She did. I love it. For my birthday, my dear husband bought me a purple Jayne t- hirt. You can see where I am going here…

I found a pair of cotton pants at the Salvos and decided to dye them purple. Hence my purple Jayne costume was born.

    

We are Jayne. I think we make a great costume group and we had a lot of fun!

More photos from the day can be found on my FB page – Karen J Carlisle.

A Well Earned Break. Shiny!