Beautiful Books: In Which my Book is Complete Chaos

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NaNoWriMo, I am doing NaNoWriMo. Well, now you might be thinking "Anna, if you are doing beautiful books, a linkup about your NaNoWriMo book, why are you telling me this?" Well, I'm telling you because I'm not sure that I've processed that fact myself yet.

This is my first time actually writing a (full) book, and ALL THE PLOT HOLES. PLOT HOLES EVERYWHERE. Because I know what's happening, so it makes sense when I write it. Then I'll reread a section so I know where I left off, and I'll have no clue what I wrote. I mean seriously, I thought her name was Stacy, or Justice. What?!? 

Writing is confusing! Especially because I don't have a plan/outline and I'm essentially just vomiting words onto a word document and hoping for the best. So, maybe these questions will help? (let's be realistic, they won't help. I pity my future self who will have to edit this.)

1.) Overall, how is your mental state, and how is your novel going?     

Well, I'm alive. So, my mental state can't be to horrible. If anything, the worst part is this cold and reading slump. Because, ever since starting NaNoWriMo, I HAVE BARLEY READ A THING. Is this a problem? I THINK SO. If anything, not reading has been making me crazy. I'm also around 9,500 words behind, so. That doesn't help either.

2.) What's your first sentence or paragraph? 

"The sound of gunshots could be heard throughout the warehouse as Assassin X watched Henry Saint Clair, the leader of a sex trafficking ring, shoot all of his board members in the head."

3.) Who's your current favorite character in your novel?

That's a hard question because all of these characters are like me babies! I've been thinking about them, and creating them for years, so they all have a special place in my heart. But I guess (if I had to choose just one), I would choose Assassin X because she was the first character I ever thought up, and so she is really special to me.

4.) What do you love about your novel so far?

Is the fact that I'm writing it an acceptable answer? Because that's honestly my favorite part. :)

 

5.) Have you made any hilarious typos or mistakes?

Not that I'm aware of, but one of my characters went from a fun guy to a mean guy. No idea what so ever how that happened. I'll figure it out later (hopefully). 

6.) What is your favorite to write: beginning, middle, or end -and why?

Well, I haven't written the end yet, but I'm really excited! I already know how I'm going to end it, and yes, it's defiantly evil (and will hopefully leave people in tears). But, right now my favorite to write is the beginning because it's the start to a new story (which is pretty cool).

7.) What are your reading habits?

I don't really have any habits. Though I do find that I spend a lot of time writing in front of the TV. It's weird, and I guess that I'm a good multitasker. I'm able to write, and also listen to Gilmore Girls at the same time. What does that make me? I'll accept (a) awesome, (b) magical, or (c) just a person (because that's a lot more realistic).

8.) How private are you about your novel while you're writing?

I'm not really private, but I also didn't hang a banner on my window, for all of the mortals around me to see. I do talk about it on Twitter though, and I even tweet out excerpts of my writing. So, that's really my public display of my NaNo writing. 

9.) What keeps you writing even when it's hard?

I think that it's the chart on the the NaNoWriMo website that shows you how much writing you've done. I think that it's cool to be able to see those bars grow every day. I think that it's really fun to see how high I can get them each day. :)

10.) What are your top three pieces of writing advice?

Of course I have a ton of advice from my twelve day writing career, but I'll share three pieces. First, not everything works for all writers. For example, I could not write an outline for the book I'm currently writing. I just couldn't picture where things were going to go, and so I'm pantser who will write a barely usable first draft, that will take a couple rounds of editing just to be coherent. And you know what? That's fine! You do you, Boo! Second, try to know your characters before you start writing. I think that it's a lot easier to write when you know your characters, and what they would do. For example, I once tried to write a story with characters I didn't know well, and I never made it to the second chapter. But on the current WiP, I really know the characters. And that makes it a lot easier to write about them, because I know what they would each do. So, try to know your characters a little bit, and it does help to keep a list of their personiatlies, hobbies, and other things like that. Third, write, write, write. It doesn't matter if it's good or not, if you don't write it, then it will never have the potential to change someone's life. Because books are amazing things, and as Beverly Cleary once said, "If you don't see the book you want on the shelf, write it."