Now I know I’m super annoying but…I FINISHED NANOWRIMO IN 3 DAYS.
Well, technically I wrote 62,000-words in 3 days and even finished up early enough that I got to spend a pleasurable evening relaxing and doing nothing. * This wasn’t actually a record for me either as back in September I wrote 130K in 6 days WHICH IS KIND OF A LOT AND I LIVED TO REGRET EVERYTHING. **
I KNOW I KNOW I’M SUPER IRRITATING but there. #NaNoWriMo2016 finished in 3 days. Someone save me from myself and bring me the cake. pic.twitter.com/Srr89AAKc3
— Cait (@PaperFury) November 3, 2016
Okay, come back. Stop hissing at me through the laptop screen. I will give you cake if you read on, you delightful little kumquat.
This post is inspired by the fact that when I tweeted “HEY LOOK WHAT I CAN DO” I had a variety of things yelled at me, including:
- Congrats!
- Cake for you!
- Want to write my book for me?
- You aren’t human.
- I love you but also hate you right now.
- #goals
- Did you know it is actually National Novel Writing MONTH not week?
- Could you not.
- HOW???????
I decided I shall answer the last one: HOW DID I WRITE A BOOK IN 3 DAYS? Because clearly it’s time to spill secrets and then pat you on the shoulder and assure you that, yes, you too can do this if you want.
But I also accept titles of Immortal Dragon Queen Of All if you prefer to think of me as not-human. That’s cool.
* I was lying catatonic on the floor with chocolate BUT SAME THING.
** Or did I live??? Is this a human typing now or the Ghost Of Caits Of The Past? Or perhaps just a clone I left to keep things together while I am dead after a 27K day that one time. Or perhaps there WAS NEVER ANY CAIT AT ALL AND I AM JUST PRETEND. #ExistentialCrisisIntensifies
OTHER HELPFUL POSTS INCLUDE:
- How To Write 10K in 1 Day
- My Writing Schedule for The Day
- How To Write A Successful 1st Draft
- How To Write a Bestselling Novel
(Spoiler: Some of those posts are no true help at all because I’m a sarcastic little wombat. But I am here to confuse and destroy and give you cake. You’re welcome.)
1. PRACTISE SPRINTING UNTIL YOU CAN SPRINT LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SPRUNT BEFORE.
You know the word “sprunt” sounded right in my head but now I’m second guessing my ability to use the English language. (Which, FYI, is the only language I’ve ever had. I need to be restrained from it.)
But that aside — look I didn’t wake up one day and say “I’M GOING TO WRITE 20,000 WORDS IN ONE DAY!” I worked up to it. I also figured out my process which is to write wild and messy and bad first drafts and do serious editing/rewriting later when I have the skeleton here to work off. Everyone’s writing process is different! BE AWARE OF THAT. But if you want to learn to sprint: then do it. Very rewarding. As rewarding as taking over small galaxies and ruling them nefariously. *
But a little backstory on my last three NaNoWriMo experiences?
- 2014: 65K in 7 days
- 2015: 63K in 5 days
- 2016: 62K in 3 days
On top of that, I’ve written 22 books, editing copiously, rewritten more, and just WROTE AND WROTE AND WROTE UNTIL I COULD WROTE NO MORE AND THEN YOU KNOW WHAT? WROTE MORE. **
Practise, is what I’m trying to say. Praaaaaaactise. You learn to write fast. You learn to sprint. You do it so often that writing 20K in a day is actually No Big Deal.
* I mean…not that I would know. [WINK WINK]
** Genuinely worried about my use of grammar now.
2. HAVE A 5-YEAR PLAN.
Well, that’s a little excessive, Cait. Maybe chill.
Try having a 3-day plan. AKA — AN OUTLINE FOR YOUR NOVEL. I wold not be able to do this as a panster! I JUST WOULD NOT. As is, I have a very detailed outline (this year’s outline was 7,000-words long and outlined every. single. scene) so I have zero chance of either going: “omg no writers block I don’t know what to do now” or “where am I going with this”. Because I know. I have The Outline. I follow The Outline.
The Outline and I are ONE. *
Because of having a detailed outline I don’t get stuck! I don’t need to overthink. I literally can just write.
* Just kidding, we still fight, but mostly it’s a good relationship.
3. GIVE YOURSELF PERMISSION TO BE AWFUL.
I do not write neat perfectly stitched together 1st drafts. I WRITE WILD AND MESSY AND AWFUL. I give myself permission to write badly because 1st drafts are just always going to be bad no matter what. * So my method is to write awfully and freely and have fun because there’s 0% pressure here…I know I’ll fix it later!
I’m not just hitting my keyboard. And I will write scenes that I, modestly, view AS PURE GOLD. But there will also be sentences like “He ate the potato because he loved potatoes because potatoes were good” and yes I still call myself a writer. Although sometimes I make myself cry.
I’m great.
* Okay, fine, maybe your 1st drafts are perfect little works of art but I can’t look at you. Whose soul did you sell?
4. HARVEST THE SOULS OF YOUR READERS AND DRINK THEIR TEARS.
What?
I thought this was good advice.
5. MAKE THE TIME, EVEN IF YOU HAVE TO STEAL A TIME MACHINE.
Obviously you can’t write for 6 hours a day IF YOU ARE BUSY DOING OTHER THINGS. Personally? I make time in my schedule. I can afford to take 3 days off from…everything. I PLANNED TO TAKE THESE DAYS OFF ALL YEAR. I had freezer meals ready, chocolate stockpiled, my dog bringing me sandwiches, and zero commitments to anyone or anything anywhere. I could be 100% focused on my writing.
If someone so much as looked at me with a, “Hey Cait could you –” I JUST SAID NO AND RAN AWAY.
Plus I don’t read or watch movies or blog or, like, talk. (I do faceplant on the internet during breaks though. And nap. So much napping.) That frees up a lot of extra writing time.
And yes! I do type for upwards of 6+ hours a day! SO THAT’S KIND OF A LOT. I get rather hyper-focused and can type and type and type and be perfectly happy lost in my own mind. *
A very simplified schedule of how I write would look thusly:
- 8:00am – 9:30am = 3,000 words
- 10:20am – 11:50pm = 6,000 words
- 12:30pm – 1:30pm = 2,000 words
- 3:40pm – 4:30pm = 1,000 words
- 7:00pm – 10pm = 8,000 words
BUT SEE ALL THOSE TIME BREAKS???? I am not writing the whole day. I am exercising or playing with my dog or gone for a walk or eating FOOOOOOD. Take care of your brain, pumpkins. You’ve only got one. **
And least to say: no procrastination. NO. NONE. NONE. AT. ALL.
Oh don’t give me that look.
* Wait. That is scary.
** And some of us have less than that after NaNoWriMo. But yet we remain! Go us!
6. I’M A MOTIVATED LITTLE MONSTER.
Honestly I think a lot of writing intensely huge word counts just comes down to: DO YOU REALLY REALLY WANT TO DO THIS??? You practise. You build up your skills. You write. I honestly have no Secret Recipe Of Awesome. There is nothing magical in my cake. * I do not have 8 arms and 7 clones. My dog does not type well unless I want my manuscript to saw “rawr and woof”. WELL, I MEAN, I AM THE IMMORTAL DRAGON QUEEN. So there’s that. But that only contributes a little.
And if I’m struggling to motivate me? I get YOU to motivate me. Twitter! Chatting with NaNo friends! Blogging about my projects! Comparing character tortures with writerly buddies! I mean, what’s the point of living on this planet unless you get to demand the mere mortals to encourage you and your word count and bring you cake, amirite?! What else are the mortals for???
Also, um…I’m hugely competitive with myself and have to keep beating my old records and it’s a disease probably. Shh.
* Except for the fact that I baked it and I am beautifully magical.
Speed writing isn’t for everyone, but if you want to do it: GO FOR IT.
Work up to it! Challenge yourself continually. And the basic mathematical equation is: plan + clear your schedule + stick your butt in your chair and don’t procrastinate + type fast + be motivated by the reward that is a finished manuscript + focus + cake + write wildly and badly with no editing + be just a teeny tiny itty bit INSANE = you did NaNoWriMo in 3 days.
You’re welcome.
NOTE: This post isn’t intended to be braggy! If any of my methods are helpful to you, GREAT. If not: your process and journey is different but just as awesome. Trust me.
hey NaNolings! how are you doing? surviving??? DO YOU NEED ENCOURAGEMENT BECAUSE I HAVE CAKE FOR YOU. what’s the highest word count you’ve reached in a day and what’s your Ideal Goal World Count for someday? are you a speed writer or a slow writer? what’s your process?! let’s chat of all the fun things.
I’m still struggling with writing messy drafts. STILL. It’s so hard!
I do sometimes get into the flow and to 2k days. That’s really good for me. Hahaha. So I guess our methods are WILDLY different…
That’s still stupidly impressive though! (Also you can always call me a kumquat, love that word!)
It is hard, I agree!! I nearly quit writing at one stage because I was trying to write perfect 1st drafts…so learning to pause the perfectionism until 2nd drafts basically saved my writing life.😂 And HEY it’s awesome that our methods are so different! It’s actually super interesting comparing them, right?!?
(I’m addicted to saying kumquat at the moment so BE PREPARED FOR MORE. Why is fruit so fun omg.)
You are actually insane, I love you. I wish I had the energy right now to do this. I haven’t really sat down to write since when I finished high school and had a first crack at this book and discovered just how much I liked writing. And then I hit a block. But now, in the moments when I have been writing oh my giddy aunt it is glorious (it is also lovely to just rewrite something and be like LOOK HOW MUCH FABULOUS-ER I AM NOW). I have decided that I was made for this. I don’t even care if I never get published, writing is gloriously fun. It’s sort of weird because I feel like I’m just reading a book but I also happen to be typing the whole thing out and then suddenly going DIE DIE DIE and then sipping tea, *blinks*.
I shake my fist at uni though – I am so mentally exhausted having finished that I do not have your draconic energy to pump out 60,000 words in three days. Rather, I’ve done 10% of that *laughs . . . cries*. I assume you’re planning on getting one of your books published, right? Have you submitted any manuscripts? WHEN CAN I READ THEM IN PRETTY PAPERBACK FORM? Hurry up with that, please, *angel face*.
I accept accusations of being insane. IT’S PROBABLY TRUE. NO USE DENYING ANYMORE. But ugh to blocks. I hope you get through yours. I feed my book cake, too?? That makes it grow big and healthy and strong. Maybe. Or like, I feed myself cake and don’t worry about anything just typing and my howling as I write utter rubbish.😂 Ahem.
I’m glad you’re finding writing so fun though!! IT’S THE BEST FEELING EVER TO BE IN LOVE WITH WRITING. And are you killing all your characters?? Tut tut. I didn’t even kill anyone this round. I’m so proud of me. :’)
Duuuude, I can’t even imagine balancing uni + writing. I can’t even balance LIFE + writing. I must pause everything.😂
Fingers crossed I get published someday.😜
Thank you so much for sharing your secret. I am really curious about how you’ve done Nanowrimo in 3 days 😀 that is very nice of you 😀 btw, I wanna make sure something, so you are starting Nanowrimo in 2014? And you finish in 7 days? Wow! Amazing 😊 Thank you so much for the tips that give permision to be awful. That is probably that I am not doing. And thank you so much for telling me your schedule. 😀 congrats for your achievement! 😊🎉🎉🎉 🍰🍰🍰
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Hana!! *flails happily* And yes! My first NaNo was in 2014 and I finished in 7 days for that one. So I’m gradually just whittling down my time.😂
I applaud your dedication! *throws confetti and cake donuts*
The highest word count I’ve ever made is 4,500 in day. One day, I shall manage 10,000. Until them, I’m enjoying my snail’s pace NaNo writing because of all the constant interruptions in my life.
Thanks for the tips and another great post! And while I am eager to read one of your books, I will refrain from asking when because I know a writer’s timeline is drastically different from a reader’s. So I’ll wait patiently. Or impatiently. One of the two.
*FLAILS HAPPILY* Thank you!! You’re so kind.😜 And 4.5K is AWESOME basically halfway to 10K there, so you’ll make it one day. 😉 But life can be pretty demanding with all those interruptions right?!
Omg we’ll both just have to hope I don’t procrastinate AND ACTUALLY EDIT THIS NOVEL.😂
You are NOT exactly human, do you know that? Also, HUGE congratulations on writing this book in three days only. I have no idea how you do this, haha. Also, this post didn’t feel like bragging at all, it’s actually SO great to learn more about your writing process and all craziness, I love these kind of posts SO much, so thank you for writing this! 🙂 I can’t WAIT for you to share some snippets!
I’m not doing NaNoWriMo because life is cruel and I have absolutely no time to write lately. Which makes me SO sad, because seeing everyone being excited about NaNo, writing and screaming about it, all makes me want to write SO BADLY, it’s crazy.
afjdslkad thank you, Marie!! *blushes* And I’m really glad the post didn’t come across braggy because that is the last thing I want and I do get worried!! SO EEEEP, I’M GLAD YOU LIKED IT. (I always love knowing other writers’ processes too. It’s so interesting to see how differently everyone works, right?!)
Aw, I hope you get a chance to get into writing again soon. Life is MEAN when it demands we do other things instead of write.😭
This is my first time doing NaNoWriMo (hell, this is my first time writing a book), and YES YOU ARE A MAGICAL QUEEN GIVE ME CAKE PLEASE. I’m actually not using a plan, I’m pantsing (kind of, I have the plan in my head for a couple of years now, though it does seem to change every couple of weeks…). So I’m going to write the book, then plan it. I will take my mess of a book, and make a plan from events in the rough draft, and make a plan around that. Then use the plan to edit and such. So…the opposite of you. ;D
Ohhh first time writing a book?! THIS IS MAGNIFICENT, ANNA, I’M SO HAPPY FOR YOU. *flings cake in your hair* And it’s totally wonderful you know what your methods are already! It took me like 4 years of writing to figure out what worked for me.😂 So I hope this first little darling baby book of yours is very fun to write. ;D
*BOWS DOWN* All hail Queen Cait! Just think – you could write ten book during NaNoWriMo at the rate you’re going!
I honestly love that you can just write like a demon, I can’t write period. I try, but then I get bored. I don’t even know how to do an outline.
BAHAHHA, MAYBE NOT THOUGH?!😂 I think my brain would wear out!! hehe, although if I didn’t have other time commitments I’d be tempted to at least try to write another book this month. But alas. *glares at universe which conspires for me to do other things*
Congrats on winning NaNoWriMo already!
You really made an effort, but as long as you love writing that’s what really matters. 🙂
Eeep, thank you!! And I AGREE: loving writing is the important part. And doing it at your own pace is also very important *nods*
It’s amazing that you managed to complete NaNoWriMo already. I’m personally not doing it, but I have a friend who hasn’t even started! Come to think of it, I’m not even sure if he’s started planning . . ? Oh well, I’m sure he’ll do fine.
AHH, THANK YOU! And omg to your friend!😂 I really admire people who can just write something on the spur of the moment with no planning…that takes a lot of talent!
GO CAIT WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! *bakes a cake* (because you deserve it) Well done! You finished another book! Your books would probably fill a whole shelf or something (which leads to the important question… would their covers be rainbow? because YES PLEASE). Also I personally think you totally deserve to be published and I can’t wait for when that happens (soon hopefully) and that would be great! How happy did your book turn out on a scale of 1-deleriously happy? Were there any-many cinnamon rolls? Were there any pets or large families! Anyway, this is inspirational, to me, a non-novel writer, so good job 🙂
*eats all the cake* WHY THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 😉
omg it would be very fun to have a rainbow shelf of my own books. #lifegoals Although, like 80% of my books are very stabby??? So it would be great fun to pick up like a brightly coloured happy looking book and then HAVE EVERYONE DIE WITHIN MWHAHHA. Ahem. Wait. Maybe I should calm down…
There were definitely large families, but no pets.😂 I meant to have a cranky cat but I forgot. haha. MAYBE I’ll put it in in the 2nd draft. And well, omg I was like 0% happy with the first 40K but the last 20K I am 90% happy with so that makes up for it. 😉 It took me a while to get into the swing of things this time, but eh. CINNAMON ROLLS EVERYWHERE.
I’m so glad you liked this post. <3 I AM HAPPY.
It’s amazing that you finished NaNo in 3 days! This is my first NaNo and I’m still at Uni so much as I’d like to, I can’t sit down and just write all day (I wish I could, if this was over the summer, I probably would!). I am a total pantser, so aside from have a vague idea of where I want the story the end up, I’m just letting my characters take over and hoping that they end at the point I want them to. I’m about 7k in now and hoping to keep up the pace of around 2,000ish words a day, though that may be difficult when assignments start piling up at the end of the month.
I totally get that!! I really admire anyone who balances school + writing. That would be huge. You’re more talented than me! 😂 I hope you get to keep up the 2K and that your assignments are kind on your brain. 🙂 😛
GO CAIT. I really personally prefer to be slow and steady (or possibly slow and not steady…. but yes, I DID do some writing yesterday. First chapter and prologue KILLED) 3000 is my record, but I did manage to do that for 17 days until I was DONE so that was good. My process is :have a vague sort of plot and some nice pieces of dialogue and write it down and keep going until it’s done and then feel sad and then edit, like, a year later. (I haven’t written as much as you though, so it doesn’t really bother me.) Well done, though, I love that you shared your process!
That is really really awesome, Shanti!! WOOOO. I mean, technically you’re a more dedicated writer than me, because I can’t even imagine writing for 17 days straight.😂 I have no attention span, I swear. Ahem. SO GO YOU AND YOUR GLORIOUS WRITING PROJECTS!!
You have multiple copies of the same book? Oh, I see, it’s a Stiefvater book, and the covers are slightly different. 😉
Seriously, I can only clear my schedule so much, and my goals are realistic. But you have some great advice for the people that just sit there and expect inspiration to strike. Working ahead is key. Outlines are super helpful. Even if they only consist of scrawled notes that are just sentence fragments and make no sense to anyone but you (that would be my outlines). When you start to get stuck, you have something to refer back to.
I have a HUGE Stiefvater collection. Obsessed? Me? Nooooo.😂 (Although I do own two copies of one of her books but that’s because I won one!! I’m not rich enough to have multiples. Yet. mwhaha.)😂 Ahem.
And I totally get that! Like it’s not realistic or possible for everyone to do something like this. I’m really lucky to able just to take 3 days fully to myself. *nods* Although my preschooling nieces/nephew were cranky at me for canceling our playdate. BUT THE BOOKS MUST BE WRITTEN. Ahem. But I looooove outlines for that reason. The idea of going in without knowing where I’m going is so terrifying. 😳😱 CANNOT COPE! *outlines everything wildly* 😂
All hail the immortal dragon queen! 💯😮
I’m participating in Nanowrimo this year but I’m rebelling! Instead of a novel, I’ll be writing poetry. 😏 I did try plotting a novel but I feel like it’s not going to work. And I’ve taken interest in poetry lately.
I wish I can write an outline as detailed as yours though. I do plan my novel before writing it but the outline is not as detailed. I’m more of a plantser honestly. The beginning and ending of my novel are already planned out but I leave room for possibilities in the middle.
But congrats to you Cait! Writing a novel in three days is no easy feat.
Hey that is absolutely awesome!! YAY POETRY. Honestly my brain has no idea how to poetry so you are the real amazing wizard here.😂 Plansting is honestly the best word ever…I nearly wish I was a planster just because I LIKE TO SAY THE WORD. #logic Ahem. But knowing the beginning and the ending is pretty much the basics of what you need right?!
THANKYOU!
ahhh ! congrats! such an awesome feat! i am still hoping that i can finish Nano this year… but babies man…they are suck time suckers
I hope you do finish too!! Although omg small children are VERY exhausting and I will just applaud you endlessly if you can write plus juggle children!!
yeah. but I wouldn’t worry if I didn’t get nano this year XD just for fun of it
WHAT IS WRONG WIIITTTTHHH YOU????? Thanks for the article though. It helped (especially the time schedule thank you very much)
But seriously are you Cait or a machine robot that has her face????
BUT YOU DON’T KNOW IF I HAVE A FACE BECAUSE I JUST HAVE BOOTS IN MY PROFILE PICTURE. #DragonQueenInHidingObviously
(hehe, but thank you!! I’m really glad you liked the post. As to what is wrong with me? IT HAS NOT BE CONFIRMED, BUT POSSIBLY JUST INSANITY.)
I am SERIOUSLY loving and hating you simultaneously. HOW is my first question, too. Strangely though YOUR PLAN LOOKS OKAY. I mean, I can write 3k in 1 1/2 hours….but it would be the evening that would kill me. 8k in one go????? GAHHH. Well I think I must say, HATS OFF TO YOU GOOD SIR and congratulations.
THANK YOU, ESTHER. <3 Kind bean. And honestly sometimes I type slower than 3K in an hour, it just depends on the scene and if I know what I'm doing. (When writing contemporary, spoiler: I NEVER KNOW WHAT I'M DOING.) And 8K stints MAY involve slight pausing to eat chocolate.😂 But shh, don't tell the mortals. They must think I'm a dragon machine.
BUT THANK YOU, GOOD SIR, THIS COMMENT IS SO LOVELY.
Being a kind bean is the epitome of my aspirations, HONESTLY.. And I respect that! I would have zero idea what I was doing with contemporary either. YOU ARE SOBRAVE OMG. And obviously CHOCOLATE IS A NECESSITY. I won’t tell, don’t you worry!
THREE DAYS IS INSANE YOU HIGH GIRL!
No but seriously, it’s heartening to know that you were once like the rest of us before being elevated to werd queen.
Thanks for this post Cait, I feel heartened by it.
xx
JUST A LITTLE BIT INSANE. IT HAS BEEN MENTIONED BEFORE.😂 But yES we all start somewhere right?! I’m pretty sure my first ever book took me a year to write too, btw.😂
Thanks for the post, Cait! It completely answered my question “How in the name of sweet cheese balls? How?” and it turns out you didn’t have to call on dark forces after all. Which makes me a happy potato.
Seriously, congratulations. Posts like these are always my favorite because I learn so much.
I wish I could take a few days off of other things to try sprint writing, but unfortunately, that wouldn’t fit in my schedule right now. Heck, even getting 1,000 words a day out was a struggle this week because I was at a conference every day. But I’m pushing on.
P.S. When do we get another Wattpad novel? *makes puppy dog eyes* *discreetly slides cake toward you*
I wrote this post JUST FOR YOUR UNVOICED QUESTION. You’re welcome. Although, I mean, I’m not actually spouting anything new or original here.😂 And no dark forces. Nope. Now for that time I did 130K in 6 days….a few dark forces may have been involved. Will not confirm either way. *melts into the shadows*
And it does depend on where one is in their life, right??! Like I’m pretty luck that I can put aside 3 days to do this!!
PS. *discreetly takes the bribe* I’LL HAVE NEWS ABOUT WATTPAD SOON. BE PATIENT, GRASSHOPPER. 😇
You didn’t mention that I screamed “WHAAAATTTT????” at you on twitter:) I was in shock at your word counts, so thanks so much for sharing this post with us. Practice, the outline and no procrastiantion are good, practical suggestions that take some of the magic out of your word totals (okay, there’s still a little sorcery involved!) I have another writer friend who can write 10 or 15 K in a day and I’ve always been in awe of her. My personal highest word count is 4500 words which I wrote on Nov 1st! I also love your question about what would be my personal goal. I’d never thought about that before (and if I’ve never set myself that goal, I’ll never reach it) So my personal goal will be 10 K. I like being able to fast draft, but I am a pantser (which keeps auto-correcting to panther, which is also cool!). So, I think that 10 K is a good, achievable goal. Have fun revising:) Did you end up writing the Goldilocks retelling? It sounded so amazing!
DARN I FORGOT THAT ONE.😂 I appreciate flails though. IT MAKES MY DAY KINDA A LOT SO THANK YOU FOR THAT.😂 And like this post is totally not even surprising right/!? Just write and don’t procrastinate…eek. Although those things are kind of harder than they seem. *nods* And 4.5K is still AMAZING and you’ll be at 5K and then 10K AND THEN A MILLION WORDS SO YEAH. (No no I’m not be over enthusiastic, shh, of course not.)
And yes I did end up finishing the Goldilocks retelling!! 🎉 It’ll need so much editing, but the ending was my favourite fajdksald.
WOW! Finishing NaNoWriMo in 3 days is amazing! And you didn’t just finish it – you wrote TEN THOUSAND MORE WORDS than you needed to in that time. I’m just in awe.
I’m somehow doing NaNoWriMo? Somehow I went from “a bunch of bookish internet people I like are writing books, but that’s not my thing” to joining on a whim the night before and diving in headfirst. I don’t know how it happened. And if I ever end up editing this, I have a feeling half of it will just disappear – I’m pretty sure I currently have a 2-page scene of the characters making rock candy. And that’s all that happens. But at least those are words that exist! On the other hand, college is a thing that exists, and I have a huge essay AND a test in a week, so who knows whether I’ll actually survive.
Actually, I’ve been thinking about my novel, and I think your many foodie books posts have really influenced it. My entire first chapter was about waffles, then I had that rock candy scene, and now I’m writing about lasagna. Maybe I’m just really hungry.
AHHH YOU’RE BOOKS ARE FOODIE?!? THIS MAKES ME VERY HAPPY.😂 Clearly my mind-controlling skills reach far. #win
hehe, but thankyou!! I was aiming for 60K so I’m really glad I got there!! I’ve been writing massive books this year which is sooo not my favourite thing (like the smallest was 80k yikes) so YAY THAT THIS BOOK IS ACTUALLY THE SIZE I WANT.
And hey you can always edit! And everyone writes terrible first drafts or terrible first books….so it’s all a journey and full of practise. (Totally an irritating thing to say but still TRUE.😂)
Wow. Kudos to you for finishing in 3 days! I couldn’t do that, at least not right now, because I am also in college (which is American for university), and I’m taking things like organic chemistry and physics, doing genetics research, and applying for a major competitive scholarship. So yeah, I’m busy. In fact, the only reason I’m alive in NaNo right now is because I sort of wrote 5500 words before November started (yes, I’m cheating :P). So I have 8000 words right now . . . and I really enjoyed procrastinating reading your post, anyway, but now I need to stop and go do homework so I can reward myself with writing. But thanks for sharing your secrets with us! 😀
~Anna
DUDE THAT IS AMAZING!! I honestly would never be able to balance writing huge word counts unless I had the 3 days completely off. *nods* I have to like rearrange my work schedule and everything to do this, eep, but yes. Busyness does make a problem if one wants to write huge wordcounts. Good luck with your school and homework and writing!!
My NaNo is going the worst. For the first three days, I was ahead but yesterday I wrote only 600 words (Internet distraction) and did not write any today as I had to go to a family function. So everything is going downhill. PLUS SCHOOL. AND I HAVE MY MATH TEST ON MONDAY. *sobs forever*
Really CAIT, I do not think you are a human at all. YOU ARE A ROBOT, DANG IT.
AGH that sounds stressful!! But seriously YOU are the real champion here…because I only can write massive amounts when I’m 100% focused with no distractions. So you’re better than me since you’re balancing school/life + writing!! *gives you all the motivational cake*
Are you even HUMAN?! You dragon lady you!!!!
This is actually the first time I’m joining nano and the first time in like 20 years that I am going back to writing.. super scary because I just couldn’t finish anything. Plus I think my stuff is crap.. haha
I also managed to convince (bribe) one of my best friends to join so I have someone to be misedable with… hahaha but this is good advice!
I ACCEPT ACCUSATIONS OF DRAGON QUEEN QUITE EASILY. *flips hair majestically* And omg congrats on doing NaNo again after all this time!! And pfft, don’t worry. Everyone’s first drafts are crap. 😉 MINE ARE. I was so annoyed at my first 20K that I’m trying to pretend it doesn’t exist.🙈🙊😂 And having a cheer squad is SUCH good advice!
First of all: YOU ARE QUEEN. Second of all: I am very temped to try the Mega-Marathon-Writing-Madness Method. It sounds really intense and beneficial. I want to find out just how much I can write in a day. #sleepisfortheweak And then after I have reached my gaol #sleepforaweek
I enjoyed going through some of your older posts (which were still fab, btw. HOW DO YOU DO THIS?)!
Upon further contemplation, I have decided that it is in fact spelled “Goal”.
Fun Fact: Gaol is actually how people used to spell jail. No joke. #themoreyouknow
THANK YOU, KIND BEAN. *gives you cake* It is a really fun method to try! And honestly it’s not for everyone, but I’m a firm believer of trying lots of different writing methods to find what works for one?! I used to be a total panster and it was stressing me out SO MUCH. I’m glad I changed and tried binge writing.😂
(EeEEEEEK. Those archives can be so embarrassing.🙈🙊)
Wow. Go you!!!
(I was going to say something clever but there were no words. So bleah. Hi.) #November
THANK YOU.😂 *gives you cake*
Garg, I think I’ve just decided that I’m a slow writer apparently??? Which comes as kind of a shock because for all these years I’ve had zero people to compare myself with and now I’m apart of this writing community of geniuses and AM I EVEN MAKING SENSE ANYMORE??? Probably not.
Anyway, I was encouraged to hear that you have to work up to it and you weren’t just born being able go do that… There is hope for me yet!
The most I have ever written in one day is 3,000 but a temporary goal that I would love to meet is 10,000. Not as amazing as what you can do, but… Substantial, ya know?
But it’s totally cool and okay to be a slow writer! WE’RE ALL DIFFERENT. It’s actually seriously cool to see how so many writers have different processes but we all end up with epic books, so that’s the grand part. 😉 And yes, omg, when I first started writing it took me A FULl YEAR to write a novel. So.😂 Times do change.
I’m pretty sure you meant to ask for our Ideal Goal WORD Count, but my Ideal Goal WORLD Count is somewhere around three to four medium sized planets with maybe a small satellite thrown in. I have modest goals.
I am very much so a slow writer. The most I’ve written in a day was a little over 5k, but it went by really fast, somehow! Usually during NaNo I write around 2k a day – 1k on the train to school, and 1k on the way back. 🙂 But even though this should get me a few novels a year, it doesn’t. I write, and then I pause for months, while ideas ferment, and then I write little more again… It’s very very slow and I’m not sure I like it, but I think it’s just how my brain works. I’m going to have to learn to live with it and turn it to my advantage somehow, I suppose.
Also I am very very sad that you will not be sharing snippets this NaNo but frankly you write so much all the time that I’m sure it won’t be long before you’re sharing snippets from ANOTHER novel that isn’t so secretive. I will wait. 🙂
Ugh, did I say WORLD count? See I’m just keeping the typos in to keep it relatable to the mere mortals around. *flips hair majestically* AND ALSO YOU CAN’T HAVE ANY PLANETS BECAUSE THEY’RE ALL MINE MWAHAHHH.
But, dude, you write while travelling?! THAT IS AMAZING!! I COULD NEVER DO THAT.😂 I sometimes die writing when I’m just sitting still hehe. I need total peace and quiet and focus. But it’s totally great and wonderful you’re a slow writer, yes?! We’re all different. I love how we writers can come up with so many fun ideas but go about writing them down so differently. YAS. WRITERS LIFE IS AWESOME.
And so true.😂 I will no doubt be sharing snippets for the next novel. Especially if I cave to the Davy Jones pirate retelling because THEN I’M GONNA HAVE TO SHOW YOU PEOPLES. The sass is going to be so strong for that one.
OMG DAVY JONES PIRATE RETELLING YES PLEASE
That is well worth waiting for snippets for. <3
Also I meant I'd be Governor or something of those planets, because won't you need a little bit of ruling help? You could still be Queen of All. I don't want all that responsibility. 😛
Well, maybe you could rule, like, a small small town. Like a very small speck of a town. Or not really rule, but oversee? See, I can be gracious and share things. (I was great as a kid with sharing. Aka not.)
YOU SPEEDY CREATURE OF INSANITY. I bow down to you.
I AM SURVIVING YES AND I AM QUITE PROUD OF MYSELF. It’s going pretty well, just plowing on through all the difficulties my story’s throwing at me and ignoring them. xD
My highest word count for this NaNo has been around 5k so far (which happened on the first day because I was REALLY AMBITIOUS AND JUST SO EXCITED TO START THIS STORY)… I’ve been averaging about 2k a day since, which still makes me happy. I can write pretty fast; I think mainly for me it’s just having to pause and decide what needs to happen next (if you’re crazy like me and write the outline AS you’re writing the story *headdesk*), but when I really know what I’m writing and where everything needs to go and what everyone needs to be doing, I can pretty much fly over that keyboard. You can probably bet if I knew exactly what was going to happen through my whole book I’d be typing like a crazy person all day. xD
*gives you encouraging writing cake* YOU’VE GOT THIS EMILY, GO YOU!! And 5K is pretty downright awesome. Double the actual NaNo requirement, right?! But haha, that’s why I write outlines in advance.😂 Then I only have to look back to refresh myself on what I was planning. or else I get SO terrified of blank pages. And I think that’s the only reason I can write this fast?! Is I know where it’s going!! Although the characters do surprise me on occasion…or random people die. #awkward. 😉
You should add another one in your yelling list: I TOLD YOU SO!!
Nonetheless, congratulations for finishing another novel! I am a failure at sprinting but as you said practice makes perfect! So I am going to stick to that and I really hope I can reach at least a good word count if not 50k considering this is my first time!!
OKAY FINE. YOU GOT ME. SO TRUE.😂 I do like to do things just because people think I’m going to. 😂 Ahem, but aaanyway. It DOES take a lot of practise! And ultimately it’s not for everyone? But at least everyone knows my mad methods now.
Lots of great advice here! I tried to write 50k in three days last month. It didn’t work out for me. I only got to 30k but now I see how I could have done things differently so I might try it again.
Thanks!
It is really satisfying to do that’s for sure. ALTHOUGH TIRING. I spent the 4th day just lying around.😂
Yeah i bet. Only 4 days? I would have slept for a week! 😀
*faints* I didn’t write at all today, becuase of my sisters soccer, the farmers market, and working of stuff to sell. 🙁 *wails* *dies* not that it make much of a differance. i only wrote 2227 words anyway. *wails some more*
*gives you all the cake* IT’S OKAY YOU CAN STILL DO THIS. (And that sounds like a really busy day, omg!)
*CHOMP* *licks fingers* I actually wrote 600 words when I was supposed to be in bed, so I geuss it was still a win. XD
YAY! CONGRATS!!!! As for my NaNo Novel….I haven’t even started yet. By the time November 1 came around, I didn’t have half my outline done. So I decided to put off starting until Saturday night (and also because I love staying up till midnight to start and I can’t do that on a Monday).
I’ll have to try out some of these tips, especially number 4!
I so hope you have a good start to NaNo!! I have never written at midnight omg…maybe I should make that a goal sometime?!? I’m usually dead asleep by 10pm when I’m writing. I’M SO WEAK.😂
#4 is obviously the reason we’re all here reading this post. *nods*
Lately my goal is 1k a day. But since it’s the weekend I want more! You are right 1st drafts suck. I don’t know if I want to share mine with anyone. Maybe after I edit it 4372947404 times. Then, perhaps. I feel like my life can’t get a break though with NaNo! Urrghh. First I have mid terms, and now I have hand problems that need medical attention. Stupid hands, why couldn’t it have been my foot or something. Then I could at least sit and write a whole lot more. Plus I still have a bunch of beautiful books I want (need) to read. I get lots of writing done in 30 minutes sprints or one hour intervals. I’ve been more of a night writer to. I think the latest I stayed up writing though is like one in the morning. I need encouragement to survive this month. Help Cait!
I NEVER share my first drafts with anyone agh. Even when I do snippets, they’ve been edited. I feel like my first thoughts just aren’t that good? But my 2nd, 3rd, and 25th thoughts are MUCH better and that’s what I want my book to look like in the end! SO YAY FOR MESSY FIRST DRAFTS. Omg though but life sounds very busy for you! And that’s not good about your hands. I hope there’s not something too seriously wrong with them? 😕
*gives you heaps of cake so you survive NaNo*
This post is so awesome. And really helpful too actually! I like what you said about not procrastinating, because I just binge watched 6 episodes of Stranger Things and this helped kick me back into gear xDD
And It’s SO true, even after writing over 1000 words every day for 5 days in a row I already feel it getting easier!
My ultimate daily word goal is 10K a day. So that’s what I’m working towards!!
(aww, no snippets? 🙁 It’s okay. You must have your reasons. xD )
OMG ISN’T STRANGER THINGS AMAZING!??! I need to see the last two episodes but honestly I’m scared of how they’re going to end it.😂 *shrieks* Ahem. But I’m glad you liked the post! I AM HAPPY. And I think the more you do something, it’ll generally get easier, right? Especially if one gets into a good groove or routine. *nods*
Yesss I’m sorry about the snippets!! 🙈🙊
Hahaha… I figured you might be done in a few days. Congrats! Now you have another book to edit… 🙂
“Sprunt” is an awesome word. “When I smelled the chocolate cake, I sprunt to the kitchen.” Yeah… it could be a very useful word!
I don’t know if I’m a particularly fast or slow writer. I am, however, an easily distracted writer. I get distracted by what I’ve already written. I go back to read a little to remind myself of where I was, and the next thing you know, I’m reading just one more chapter and then it’s almost time for supper and I haven’t gotten any writing done.
*buries book under pile of rocks* 😂 OKAY BUT REALLY…I need to edit. I told myself this would be “The Year of All The Editing” and yet I’ve edited 2 projects and written 4. #fail.😂 And yES let’s petition for sprunt to be a thing, right? It’s like swum vs swam. (I still have no clue how to use words.)
I’m like that with editing! I find myself going over the same first chapters and then I get to the end and go “WELL WHATEVER”.😂
My own record is 18k in one day, but I have not been insane enough to attempt that again. Out of curiosity, do you turn off the internet during your sprints or stay away from that by sheer force of will? Though, out of this entire thing, the fact you have trained your dog to bring you sandwiches intrigues me most, LOL. (Because that is obviously true.) Your commitment and fore planning are unparalleled to my experience, for certain. You creative badass. 😉
DUDE THAT IS AMAZING. *throws glitter in your hair* And hhaha….no. I did not turn off my internet.😂 That would legit panic me *hugs precious internet* I just am super strict with myself about internet time and checking things.
The dog part IS REALLY TRUE. I WOULDN’T LIE TO YOU. I mean, the sandwiches arrive nibbled…but yet he tries.
You are forever an absolute QUEEN.
Wow.
I’m trying to get faster with my writing. So far I’m absolutely terrible AND WE’RE JUST NOT GOING TO DISCUSS IT BECAUSE I’LL BE LIKE WOO-HOO I’M KILLING THIS AND THEN I SEE OTHER PEOPLE AND IT’S LIKE OOPS #FAIL.
But seriously, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! *showers you with cake*
*blushes* YOU’RE TOO NICE HONESTLY. <3
And duuuude, trust me when I say: these aren't always good words. THEY CAN E TOTAL RUBBISH. But for me it's important to get them down so I can edit and flesh it out and make it beautiful later. Like the first coat of paint, right?! 😜
I have to bow down to how awesome you are for writing that much in 3 days! I’m only a couple hundred words under 13k right now, which is pretty good for me! I agree with having an outline, which I’ve only started doing last year, and I’m amazed at how much easier NaNo when I know exactly what I’m writing. It’s definitely a balancing act- making sure that I have enough of an outline to know where my story is going while also making sure that I give myself the freedom to let something unexpected happen.
I love using Scrivener! I can split the screen, so I can see the current chapter or scene, and the chapter outline, plus I can move things around as I need to. And it’s really easy to write out of order! And I can have sections on characters, places, research or anything else related to the novel.
I agree with giving yourself permission to do be awful! It’s far easier to write the first draft knowing it’s not going to be perfect and to not edit it. Editing can always come later but you can’t edit a blank page! It’s really freeing too. I don’t care if it’s out of order and messy, because that’s going to happen, and NaNo has taught me that just writing is really important.
Making time to write is also really important, and I’ve found my lunch break is the perfect time to get a lot of writing done, and then I have less to write when I get home. I always end up writing more when I get home! It also gets me in the habit of doing something everyday…or at least most days!
I’m usually a fast writer, but sometimes it goes a little bit slower. I know I’ve had 10k days, but I honestly can’t remember if I’ve done more than that in a day!
Congrats on writing 62k in 3 days!
*CLAPS WILDLY FOR YOU* 13K is awesome. And omg aren’t outlines just lifesavers?! I used to just write like a 2 paragraph “outline” and then wonder why I got so stuck all the time.😂 I find those blank pages not daunting at all if I know where I’m going.
OMG I LOVE SCRIVENER TOO!!!! Best. writing. resource. ever. I do the split pages when I’m editing! I also write MASSIVE chapters for 1st drafts (um…20K chapters.😂) So Scrivener makes splitting them up so easy. Bless Scrivner and its creator. <3
10K days are AWESOME. And like honestly I can be pretty slow too! I think it depends on the novel and how hard/easy it is to tell and if it's behaving? And how many distractions we have in our lives? Aaaand how much cake I've consumed.😂
You are insane and I love it haha. I could never do this, I am a naturally slow writer and it takes me such a long time to do things. I just under 8000 words right now, but I have hit over 30,000 words on my manuscript so that is something. As much as I will never use this post, I do like the way you think.
YAY FOR 30K!! THAT IS WONDERFUL! And hey, it’s perfectly okay to be a slow writer. It just depends on what kind of person we are, right?! So long as our methods work for us then that’s all we need.😊 GOOD LUCK WITH THE REST OF NANO!
You have too much power for one single person, Cait! But I am definitely taking your advice on plotting. I tend to be a pantser when writing short stories, which is probably why I’ve never attempted a full novel 😅 I’m probably going to give nanowrimo a stab next year because unfortunately I don’t have the time management skills to do it this time. I’m definitely a slow writer because I’m so used to editing as I go, and I’m kind of forcing myself to feel okay with writing terribly for a first draft and then going back and tidying it up for editing.
It’s hard to let go of perfectionist tendencies!! I have BEEN THERE and omg…it’s so hard.😂 I do think it’s worth it though…just to have that basic 1st draft skeleton down and focus on the idea rather than making it look pretty just yet.
Wow, I had a horrendously busy week at work so didn’t even OPEN my manuscript. I thought I’d at least start this weekend but haven’t. Your three day effort gives me hope I can do it in 3wks.
You can totally get this done in 3 weeks! YAYYY YOU GOT THIS!! *gives you motivating cake*
CAIT YOU ARE INCREDIBLE. I can’t even write one blog post without wanting to face plant my face into an ice cream tub.
BUT FACEPLANTING INTO AN ICE CREAM TUB IS REALLY FUN.😂 Ahem. But thank you, Jeann. <333😊
It seems to me that I want planned things to be perfect, but I will let pantsed things be messy. Obviously, this is a problem. You’re never going to get anything written if, the moment you know where you’re going, you can’t write!
Well done on your three day NaNo! XD
Thankyou!!
And I agree….it’s terrifying to sit down to write but not know where you’re going.🙈🙊 I know lots of people can just be inspired in the moment, but I NEED the outline in case it’s not an inspiring day!!
O_o you freak me out with your awesomeness oh awesome one
I used to have 10k days, but I haven’t done one of them in a while. I’m like 4000 words into NaNo and killing myself with my procrastination. My problem is I’m too picky with what I write, dangnabit. I just have to write. EMBRACE THE TERRIBLE SPELLING. I think I need that program where you can’t see what you’ve typed until you’re up to a certain point. hmmmm….
AND SO MANY CAKES TO YOU BECAUSE THREE DAYS IS honestly quite ridiculous now, seriously XD
Now you have to publish it (after the potato sentences are fixed haha)! I mean really! We have to read it now XD
–Emmeline 🙂
Hahah, omg, sorry!! 😂 I’M JUST A TINY BIT MAD I ADMIT. And it’s actually really hard to quit perfectionist tendencies, so I totally understand. I’ve been there! I think writing is so much easier, though, when one writes bad first drafts and excellent 2nd drafts. But do follow the methods that work for you. 😉
N’AW, DON’T YOU WANT THE POTATO SENTENCES?!😂
I SO admire you Cait. I can’t wait to read this wonderful book of yours. Pouting a bit cause no snippets but I get it. <3
As for me, I paused writing my Nano book. WHY, you ask? I SCRAPPED MY OUTLINE, I DID. I have a good reason, no fear. It didn't feel right. There was something missing big time and someone helped me figure it out so now I'm re-doing the outline. Besides, I'm fabulous so I only need two weeks to write the whole book. *hair flip* Okay no but really, one of the things I added is a PSA for Lex, the MC with PTSD & Anxiety. Because they're AMAZING and this one is a cute labrador named Luthor. I mean. SO cute. Now there are 3 amazing dogs in this book. 3!!! That's a good thing, right???
Awww. THIS MAKES MY DAY.💕 Thanks, Bee. You’re super inspiring to me too!!
But that’s awesome how you’re listening to your book!! I’m totally stubborn when things don’t work and I just keep going but ALWAYS regret it by the end haha. Rewrites are hellish if one doesn’t listen to their book.
As long as these dogs all live, right? RIGHT??? THEY NEED TO LIVE I BEG YOU.
YESS. It helped that I just couldn’t move forward even with the other outline. I was all BLEHHH when I thought about writing. And that’s no good. So yah.
OF COURSE THEY LIVE AND THEY BECOME FWENDS AND THEY’RE ADORABLE. Really though, I will never harm animals in my books. Especially an uber adorable Psychiatric Service Dog like Luthor. <3
You know, you’ve become somewhat of a celebrity. Even among my co-blogger and me, we’ll be like, “Hey, did you see Cait from Paperfury read 3 books in 2 days? And how does she still find time to review them? Does she not sleep? IS SHE A VAMPIRE?” and then “Oh hey, did you hear about Cait winning NaNo in 3 days???” – You’re doing well at fuelling our inferiority complexes as readers, reviewers, bloggers, and writers, sweetie 😉 ❤
Anyways, congratulations to winning NaNo in 3 days! That is SO exciting! I really wanted to participate this year but I vowed to myself to finish my previous project first (which I haven’t, ugh). Although you listed the precise amount of words for a certain time period, I still cannot fathom how you do it. I mean, I’m a fast writer and all, but that is literally insane! Even with the best prepared outline, I don’t think I could write the same amount as you do. You have my greatest respect. I sit in awe (yes, Daughter of Smoke and Bone reference right there). But for my self-esteem, I will just go on with my life pretending you’re a vampire and don’t need sleep to juggle all the reading, writing, blogging. Ignorance is bliss 😛
OMG ARE YOU SERIOUS?!?! I’M LAUGHING. I CANNOT EVEN.😂😂 #DayMade (I mean, vampire accusations could be true?? Or like evil fairy. Immortal dragon queen. I will even concede to psychotic creature of the darkness. I’m flexible.)
Anyway, this is hands down MY FAVOURITE COMMENT. So thankyou!😂😜💕
And I don’t think like my typing speed is so fast? Moreso, perhaps, that I just spend so many hours at it! I can’t focus on like ANYTHING else for hours, but writing = I can do it for hours and hours. My brain is weird. And I don’t read/blog while I’m writing!! So that makes it a bit better right?!😂
Cait, that is a lot of writing. You must be able to type really fast too. I’ve actually gotten it down so I can get my daily NaNoWriMo word count written in an hour, so I’m pretty happy about that. Theoretically this means I could be way ahead of everybody else but its been so long since I’ve really read and there’s a lot of other things that I want to do too that I spend the rest of my time doing that stuff instead. Congrats on reaching 62K in 3 days though! That is amazing!
I thought I wrote fast…but honestly I see a lot of NaNoer’s writing MUCH faster than me…so I think I just have the ability to type for longer?! MAYBE?! I DON’T KNOW.😂 I can do 3K in an hour if it’s first thing in the morning and I’m really focused.
But fair enough balancing writing with other things!! I actually wish I could do that, but noooo. If I don’t 100% focus I just lose the plot. Literally.😂
You are an inspiration and writing terror all rolled into one. This was the year I was going to take a page out of your book because I thought I had this past weekend free, but I wound up “helping” a friend do a show (turns out she was MIA the whole time and I had to take over her job and learn everything on the fly), and I have 2 papers due next week & school will always have to come first (weeps)—especially this year because I’m trying to keep my grades up so I can transfer colleges.
You know what I think you should do? Make an online course about how to do NaNo in 2 days, put it on Skillshare (or gumroad) and charge like $10 (sounds low, but with all the writers who are dying to learn from the best, I’m sure you’d make a killing).
HAHAHAH AREN’T YOU NICE.😂 I shall take the title “Inspirational Terror” actually, it’s quite nice. Nice ring to it. Someone get that on a teeshirt for me. (But omg that sucks about your friend ditching all the work on you though.😱 That would be really frustrating!) And actually anyone who can balance school + any writing at all = the REAL true wonderful creature here. I don’t think I could do that!! I need to focus so much or my brain just runs off and faceplants in a catastrophe.
I don’t have any secrets though!! 😂 Just literally sit down and write even when it sucks.😂
You’re some sort of inhuman, aren’t you?? Some sort of mad, novel-writing fairy that can stop time until what you’re writing is finished. Because this is impossible.
Meanwhile I’m like 7k behind schedule because of studying and midterms and 5AM wake up times and bus rides and not getting home until three and the whole studying thing. I wish I had your (utterly insane) ability because I’d had finished a lot more novels by now. Although I have discovered a website called Write or Die that will scream at you if you stop writing for more than thirty seconds so you can’t procrastinate while you write. And I do mean literally scream. I’ve gotten a sound that sounded like an electronic baby crying before. It was…not pleasant. Which I guess is kind of the point.
IT’S POSSIBLE, I WON’T DENY. Like I totally accept accusations of immortal dragon queen?? Also evil magical fairy can be accepted too?? I’m so open to options. *nods sagely*
But duuuue, I can’t actually imagine doing school AND writing so WHO IS THE TRUE HERO HERE?!? *gives you all the cake* I honestly can’t really write if I have to divide my focus to other things. Which is another reason I go so fast because I have to pause my life to do this.😂 But omg that write or die website sounds a little bit daunting?!😂
Hahaha I would LOVE to take your writing sprint skills for myself. Also I’m looking at your “so-called breaks” and I’m like “Yeah 30 minutes huh? YEAH RIGHT”. I think for me, the two biggest thing keeping me from doing NaNoWriMo is 1) motivation and 2) time. And oh I forgot, I HATE WRITING. HATEEEEEE. I write enough research things as it is, Like come on. (Like today, I need to get on that)
Anyways, CONGRATS. Please tell me you ate a lot of cake afterwards?
Motivation can be hard to come by!! I think the fact I’m so so competitive with myself motivates me A LOT.😂 Let’s not talk about my editing motivation however….(it’s like 3%) And not having time to do this is a VERY big problem. Although like I can’t just like pause my life for long, which is another reason why I go so speedily.😂
(I did make myself chocolate brownie which was divine.😍)
Thanks for sharing! While I don’t think this method is one I’ll be able to try this year, it seems like something to do during the sumer. For now, I’ll stick to writing in short sprints and while taking walks.
You mentioned that you did a 7,000k outline, and I’m curious to know if you’ve done a post about how you outline? (For future reference.)
Eeep, I’m glad you like it!! I have done like a post aaaages ago about how I outline but it’s very outdated so I should do a new one!! EXCELLENT IDEA, ELIZABETH, THANKYOU.😂
Hail, Majesty of Awesomeness!!!!!
First let me congratulate you. I mean, I always KNEW you would finish essay before the deadline, but gosh girl!!! I had no inkling you would finish THREE STINKING DAYS!!!!! Ahem. You did good, sister. I applaud you!!! *Round of applause*
Next, I laugh heartily at your humor and this whole post!
And finally YOU FINISHED IT RIGHT???????? So when can I read it?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
Sorry! Sorry! I know I keep hounding you about it, but I need to!!! I absolutely MUST read it as soon as possible!!!!! I thought perhaps if I hounded you, you would let me just to why me up. If you send me your address, I will send you marshmallows and chocolate and and and notebooks and pens and and whatever you want!!!!!! Please???????
Awww, thanks, E! 😂 It was a fun challenge to try and do! Next level; FINISHING BEFORE I START WOOO. 😂 And omg it will need so much editing, soooo much.🙈🙊
You are a writing machine! (But you were probably human in one of your past lives, that’s why you can blend in sometimes). Go you!!!
My word count is the stupendous (and wondrous) 2K average! But hey, I think I might be able to finish my first novel (also first time participating in NaNo 😉 )
Ahh thankyou!!😂 BUT DUDE YES. Obviously the previous-life-as-a-human-but-now-am-a-machine-or-possibly-kitchen-blender theory is very very true. I shall accept. And hey 2K is AMAZING STILL. It is progress and that’s what matters!! And I really hope you finish your first novel this November. It’s the bessst feeling and you learn so much when you finish a novel!!
Holy. Crap. You are awesome! I can’t type that fast (and if I tried then my hands wouldn’t work for like EVER) so I am much behind you. Plus, I have kids and stuff. Lol. But congrats! I’m still working on mine. Only at 12k now.
Having kids would GREATLY put a dampner on locking yourself up to type all day that’s for sure! 😂 I admire you so much for balancing writing and a family at all times! *gives you the cake, you true champion* GOOD LUCK AND CONGRATS ON 12K!!!
*sniffles* No snippets? WHERES DA SNIPPETS I WAS WATCHING FOR SNIPPETS WILL DERE BE SNIPPETS?
I said at the bottom of this post, seeeee? No snippets this time. *whispers* sorrrrry.
That is so amazing! I can’t imagine writing that many words in such a short amount of time, but I kind of get it. I love when I get into a writing zone and you like wake up 4 hours later with a few thousand more words in your story. It’s an incredible feeling.
I decided not to do NaNoWriMo because I was technically writing a second draft of a book and i started the rewrite at the beginning of October. But this post is definitely giving me some motivation to write tonight!
Yesss, the writing zone is AMAZING. And I love that feeling when nothing matters but the words and you can just type and type AND IT’S SO AMAZING TO BE LOST IN YOUR OWN WRITING. <3 Not that I get that feeling all the time.😂 But when it comes: yaaas.
Oh good luck with your second draft!! 🎉 I'm about to do some editing on another draft since I finished this one so fast.😜
The only thing I noticed was: MY TWEET WAS MENTIONED YASSSSS
Also, I totally would look at tips and do NaNoWriMo but like tends to be more busy with exams in November here so #sobsinacorner
And congratulations! Damn, that’s a good record.
Eeep, exams would be annoying if one wanted to write in November!! *pats shoulder* Hopefully one day you’ll be able to join in though?!
I mean, I still think you’re at least PARTIALLY cyborg. I admire you with a slack jaw while trying to figure out how to kidnap you and make you write my books for me. I honestly don’t think I’d be able to do it — especially now I’m on meds, my writing is all floopy and fizeohzeuifhu. If I get to 3K in a day my brain goes NOPE. But seriously, you go girl!
Aww, thanks, Inge!! And seriously writing can be so hard so I think ANY of us who does it and achieves no matter what our methods = awesome creatures. (And pfft, of course I’m part cyborg. OR WAIT, NO DRAGON. DRAGON CYBORG??? That works.)
Okay, this post makes me feel better. Lol. I have a full time day job and I come home quite late that all I do is eat and read. I do make time an hour before I sleep to write but that’s all I got and I’m way behind my word count but I’m not officially joined in NaNoWriMo so it’s okay. 🙈
You do AMAZINGNESS then, my friend!! *gives you all the cake* I seriously could not do this if I didn’t have the whole 3 days to focus on writing, and solely writing. *nods* So it’s not really magical…it’s just time. 😉
Awesome for you! I write messy first drafts as well but I hold on to my inner critic too much during NaNo. I always finish but the earliest I’ve ever done so was with about 4 days to spare. Congratulations!
Thank you!! I think it’s important to mute that inner editor, honestly, but then…whatever works for you is THE GOOD WAY FOR YOU! 🎉 So follow your intuition when it comes to writing, I always say. 😊
You are queen of the writing. And brilliant and awesome, and I am all woah at your Speedy Gonzales-ness. That is all.
CONGRATULATIONS!!! 🙂
THANKS JO. <3 THIS MEANS SO MUCH YOU ARE SO ENCOURAGING AJFDKSALD THANKYOU.
That is so amazing. You are a Queen of writing, Cait. *bows to your majesty* I am in complete awe.
Remember that tricksy little plot twist I was having trouble with? WELL I SLAYED IT. It’s behaving now. And something insane happened, something I did NOT even have any idea would happen. It sort of just…..happened. Okay here it is: Lynna got turned into a warlock. This may or may not have some effect on her inventing, because magic and metal (the most common inventing material) do not go together.
I would love to be able to write 5k words a day. That is my dream.
Also I’m incredibly sad that you will not be sharing snippets of your story. It did sound so wonderful. Maybe it’ll get published and then we can read it XD
Yaaaas!! I was really hoping you’d conquer that plot twist and have it behave nicely for you!! And omg that’s amazing when one’s own book does something epically surprising.😱🎉🎉 Love those moments.
(And best of luck to you to write 5K at once some day!! I’m sure it’ll happen!!)
And hey MAYBE IT’LL BE A REAL BOOK SOMEDAY. 😜 We can hope right?! 😂
Giving myself the permission to be awful has been the single most hardest thing for me to do (and I still struggle with it!). I’m such a perfectionist and overachiever at heart that making the conscious effort to spew nonsense onto a page has me twitching. But NaNoWriMo is GREAT practice for that.
I applaud your ability to do all that with a needy dog by your side trying to distract you. xD That is no easy feat, my friend.
I first heard that advice of “let yourself be awful for first drafts” like…oh…3 years ago?? IT’S TAKEN ME LIKE THIS LONG TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH IT.😂 I’m such a perfectionist too, honest! And that’s why I agonise over editing/rewriting. But it’s just so freeing to write badly and get that first draft (which is never gonna be perfect) out the way.
Aww, thankyou!! Atticus did spend some time trying to sit on my head to get my attention, but. He’s cute. So I forgive him.😂
THESE POST ARE SOOOOO HELPFUL TO ME AND I LUUUURVE THEM!
I, too, am a speed writer. The most I got done was about 10k on a Saturday where my parents and three younger siblings were gone for the day. I did amazing, felt great, got stuff done, and- My siblings started watching The Hunger Games so I came to tell them to turn it down, then I was figuring out how to make coffee for the first time in my life, then, yeah. BUT I REALLLLLLY WANT TO GET 15K DONE THIS NOVEMBER.
Which I know that I’ve said this before, but other than I’m a pantser, my writing style is the same as yours. Like, literally.
10K IS AWESOME!! WOOOO!! And I’m sure you’ll just build on it, because once one gets a taste for speedy writing, it’s just so tempting to try and keep beating records.😂 My record is 27K but I secretly would love to get to 30K one day.😍 Although I’m fairly certain I would die. Ahem.
SO WE ARE TWINS. *hi fives because clearly our methods are the best*
Okay so first off just wow. Actually don’t have anything else to say about that.
I can manage 2.5k in an after lunch to bedtime writing session (with music breaks in between). And I’m pretty proud of what I’ve achieved so far (as long as I don’t read it cos I’m sure it’s shit!). I’ve done 16k so far. And it’s my first time doing nano. First time writing a book. Well okay so it’s not my actual book it’s more like a prequel because I wanted to get to know my characters before i wrote my book (did I mention I decided to have 9 main characters. I like making things easy for myself….) I thought what better way to do that than write how they got to what will be page 1.
I have encountered a major problem though. And that’s I’m missing reading so much. I have reading withdrawals. And I can’t read when I’m writing because lines blur and things get stolen.
First time doing NaNo?! YYYYAYYY AND CONGRATS TO YOU!!! I think my first ever book took me a year to write (and it was the most awful thing of ever and I’m like sure it wasn’t more than 40K) so you are doing excellently, friend. All the cake for you. AND KEEP IT UP!!
I can’t read when I write either…it just confuses myself to what my writing voice is and what the book I’m reading is. 🙈🙊 Another reason I write fast: so I can get back to reading because I miss it.😜
Why do you write like you’re running out of time? Write day and night like you’re running out of time? **Now that you have finished NaNo, you have to go listen to Hamilton, okay? These aren’t my words, but the words of the wise Lin Manuel Miranda. Just do it. History has its eyes on you. (Look, if it doesn’t sound like me, it’s from Hamilton)
ANYWAY. So I was thinking about this, because I can generally get about 1500 words in an hour(ish). So like, you being able to do it all in 3 days isn’t really impossible (well, obviously, since you did hahah), but it is for me. Which I wish it WASN’T, because I think I do my best work when I am really IN IT, you know? Like, it’s on my mind, and I am focused? But like… it’s these humans that expect me to take care of them all the time, Cait! I do want to take ONE day, if I can find someone to ensure the safety of said small people, to at LEAST get a chunk of it done. Here’s a true story- I get REALLY ANXIOUS when I can’t get to the action of a story fast enough to suit me. FINE, I get mad until I can make my ship smoosh their faces together, okay? I admit it! And 13K in, I don’t think it is TIME for their faces to smoosh yet, even with a little time jump. They have THINGS TO DO first.
So, I think the most I ever did was like 2K, but that is because I have NOT had a dedicated day to do it. My goal? I think I could do 15K in a day if I was on a roll. Like, tonight I did 1500 in like, 40 minutes. Because I was really into it. I also have no outline to speak of. I am kind of a mess like that, but this should surprise no one. CONGRATS, my dear!! ♥♥
I triiiied to listen to Hamilton like…once. IDEK. I JUST DON’T DO RAP?? I’m like a shame to society, I know. I’m probably like the 0.0001 percent of people who don’t care about Hamilton and frankly I should probably reevaluate my life choices.
and YES, see?!? No actual magic tricks here! The only things I have are: (a) time, and (b) motivation and ability to sit down and just write and write. Literally anyone can do this. It’s not rocket magical dark wizardry.😜 I, of course, don’t have small humans with many needs and I can just like take the 3 days off from humanity in general. SO YEAH. I’m very lucky and blessed to be able to write like this!!
Anyway, I hope your writing is going well. *flings cake at you*
This is so interesting! I love seeing other writer’s processes — especially when they’re insane and probably magical. What even, Cait. I’m so impressed and ALSO SO EXCITED FOR THIS STORY. I am sad that you aren’t sharing snippets, but I will try to hold in my tears.
I love seeing the scheduled times and the rough estimate of how much you write between the hours. SO COOL.
SAME. I’m such a snoop and I love seeing how other writers do things.😜 And then I can, ya know…steal methods. Ahem. ANYWAY!😂 I’m reeeeally glad you like the sound of my story *flails* and I am sorry about the snippets, but I’m like 89% sure my next book will be a Davy Jones pirate retelling and then I will share snippets from that and make it up to everyone.😇
Reading this makes us tired, but that’s okay we had 17 hours of sleep last night. We’ve enough energy stored up to type out what could be a ridiculously long comment. Here goes.
1. How on earth have your fingers not fallen off? When we imagine that much typing we think of our fingers becoming skeletal and useless until they fall off because seriously. That is too much.
2. We’ve forgotten what we were going to say for two so let’s move on
3. Nanolings is a wonderful name for all those participating in NaNoWriMo. THERE SHOULD BE MERCHANDISE WITH NANOLINGS ON IT.
4. We are not surviving NaNoWriMo because we haven’t written anything that could possibly be attributed to it. So, over the last three days we wrote over 10,000 words and nineteen pages of….an assignment for our legal studies course. Isn’t that great? Aren’t you proud of how much we wrote? AREN’T YOU PROUD OF HOW VERY NON NANOWRIMO LIKE IT IS!? We know we are because we’ve deduced that we could potentially win NaNo in the next 15 days if other assignments don’t get in our way (They totally will.)
5. We are a moderate writer because everything must be planned, but everything must also be perfect at the same time. A first draft needs to be a last draft for us since we usually end up loathing are writing if we’ve been away for it for a time period that is longer than seven seconds.
6. Sometimes we are prone to extreme bouts of ‘let’s change the entire course of this narrative’ and point five ends up becoming moot as we turn into the slowest writer of all time. #Winning
We think that might be everything we want to say..but, wait, No. We were wondering if you’re going to bake a cake, could you do so and not include wheat or chocolate. We’re allergic to both. We’d be ever so grateful.
SORRY IT’S TAKEN US SO LONG TO COMMENT BTW. WE WERE ON A DEADLINE FOR THE AFOREMENTIONED ASSIGNMENT AND ALL THOUGHTS OF APPRECIATING YOUR BRILLIANCE DEAR IMMORTAL DRAGON QUEEN OF ALL FLEW OUT THE WINDOW AND PROCEEDED TO BE KILLED BY A BUS. Our condolences and congratulations on you winning NaNoWriMo is such a small time frame.
17 HOURS OF SLEEP. ARE YOU ALIVE. ARE YOU ACTUALLY ZOMBIES.😂 And I 100% agree that there should be merch with NaNolings on it because it is a fabulous word and I LOVE IT. It has a pleasant ring to it too, right? Rolls off the tongue. :’)
I AM PROUD OF YOUR NON-NANO ACHIEVEMENTS. I suppose these assignments demand things, don’t they? *heavy sigh* Feed that assignment much cake so it grows.
I’m a big advocate for rewrites and edits, hehe, but if you can get out a perfect first draft than wow!
HEY I’M ALLERGIC TO WHEAT TOO. *hi fives* Although, well, more sensitive??? I do not function as human if I eat wheat. I become a psychotic snarling crying shape in the darkness. Chocolate, however, I need to survive. So no. Cake will have chocolate. You will die. RIP I’M SORRY.
Congratulations! That has to be the speediest NaNoWriMo ever! 🙂
I seriously envy you your speed writing skills – I’m like the tortoise of writing. I just seem to be so slow!
Heeh, thanks, Laura!! It’s definitely my record for NaNo! (Although not my record for words written, but I don’t mind!😂 I had a more relaxing time with this.) And hey, any process is a good one so long as it works for you, right?!
I do rather think you’re inhuman. Seriously, Cait, this is what a normal, average person looks at as IMPOSSIBLE. But GOALS. GAH.
WELL I AM PROBABLY A DRAGON QUEEN. #legit And thanks, Amy!! 🙂 You’re so nice!!
PROBABLY IS CORRECT.
Aweeeee thanks! 🙂
I’m the one saying “Beat you next year”. It sounds awful but I’m so competitive, honestly…. either way, this was helpful! I so need to catch up to my novel goal.
That’s not awful! IT’S AWESOME. CHALLENGE ACCEPTED.😂
You must be a robot. There really is no other explanation. Congrats!!!
And publish something already i need to read your books 😀 http://www.curious-daisy.com/writing/nanowrimo-update-tips-on-how-to-survive/
OR DRAGON QUEEN.😂 hehe, thanks though!
“Yeah, Cait wrote 60K in 3 days.” OR MAYBE YOU’RE A THE BIGGEST FIBBER I KNOW OF.
But that’s a joke. In reality you are the Immortal Dragon Queen of All. And the cutest one at that. Keep up the amazing work.
Sincerely,
A Delightful Kumquat
EXCUSE YOU I ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH. *throws kumquat jam in the air in glee* 😂 But aww, the cutest evil dragon queen? THAT’S A TITLE I CAN HANDLE.
Congrats!! That’s awesome that you can lock yourself away to write for three days. 🙂
One day, I’m going to try to speed write.
Who am I kidding? One day, I just want to be a part of NaNoWri. Why does it have to be in November? November is when college students are studying like machines for final projects/exams. And for those in the US, there’s Thanksgiving. I’d love to write all day during my holiday, buuuut I think that would be frowned upon by my family who wants to see me semi-sane. XD
Anyhow, these are some awesome tips! I will definitely keep them in mind when the time comes. 🙂
Agh yes, sad that it’s in November, right?!? I wish they’d host an editing NaNo though, because that would actually be a super hard challenge haha and would make me edit!!😂 AHEM. But I hope someday you get to lock yourself away for a few days and just write and write. BEST EXPERIENCE EVER.
THAT’S SERIOUSLY AMAZING, CAIT. Magical. You’re magical.
As for mine? I wrote 10k words the FIRST day. And then less and less, then I didn’t write AT ALL last week, and today I’ve written over 5k, but I want to write another 5k more to hit the 25k milestone. I’m currently taking a break from writing to comment on your post, so that’s taking away from my time, BUT THAT’S FINE. You are, after all, Immortal Dragon Queen of All.
My highest word count ever was back in 2014, I wrote 15k words in one day. I’m trying to build back up to that, I think, but I’m really happy with writing 10k words in a day. I want to write every day, but sometimes that just isn’t possible. I also think I’m a speed writer? I mean, I can write 2k words in an hour, so there’s that? Only if I’m super into what I’m writing, though, can I write that much.
I’ve discovered (and now admit) that I work best with an outline. And I thought I hated outlining before but I’VE TURNED OVER A NEW LEAF! I find that it’s super helpful, and even if I stray from it, I’m still going back and following along with the key points I wanted to hit. Otherwise, I don’t know what my process really is. I enjoy the huge writing spurts, that’s for sure.
AHH THANK YOU, RAYNA!! *flails happily* You are too kind.😊
I hope you’re up to a wonderful word count now! I’m super slow on replying to comments, eep, I’m sorry. *gives you all the encouraging cake* YAY FOR 25K THOUGH!! And I appreciate that you took time off from your darling growing paper child to comment on my blog. I AM hONOURED. TOTALLY HONOURED.😊
Also 15K is amazing. And I’m the same, like if I’m not focused I can’t write very fast at all. I can get 3K in an hour if I’m REALLY focused and it’s really working…but if the words are being stubborn….ahahah. #nope OUTLINING IS LIFE THOUGH. I used to be a panster but it was stressful and I nearly burnt myself out writing. So outlines all the way!!🎉 *hi fives*
Okay you are my kind of fairy tale princess. A speed writer AND your dog brings you sandwiches?! Perfect.
I am definitely WINNING AT LIFE HERE with my well trained dog. *nods*😂
I kind of hate you atm…xD
35,227 words. Only need about 5,000 for tonight to catch up. Fun.
I did kind of write a scene in the sequel because I’ve been waiting ELEVEN MONTHS to write it. I’m counting it. It’s not cheating. I think.