Ok, well, I have decided to join NaNoWriMo this year. I am attempting my first novel, that I have been planning to write for years and am finally now pushing myself through. My goal is 2,000 words a day, yet I haven’t quite hit my goal as of yet.
The most difficult part of this is not editing as I go. I have to keep remembering as all of the participants that December is for all of that.
If anyone would like to be my NaNo buddy just let me know and I’ll post a link to my profile since the search function isn’t working yet. I have a great buddy right now Laura B. We have been keeping in touch each day. She has been wonderful in keeping me pumped up and giving me some competition in word count. She is definitely winning at this point.
I am writing in the chick lit genre and the title of my book is Jennifer’s Journey. It's a story about a 'broken' girls road to self-discovery and healing. The following is an excerpt from the novel. Since this is my first novel, I would love to hear what you think. As long as it is constructive criticism, I believe I can handle it. :)
Kamilah walked in and over to the table where their friend Kathy was sitting waiting for them.
“It’s about time girls. I’ve been waiting for 15 minutes.” Kathy said a little agitated.
“Sorry, you should have seen what Jennifer was going to wear. I had to help her out.”
Kathy giggled, “What did she have on?”
“I had a black tank with blue jeans. I don’t really see the problem. I was comfortable. Now I’m uncomfortable.” Jennifer curiously looked around the room trying to figure out who her friend had set her up with this time.
“Yes, but this outfit brings out your ‘womanly’ attributes. Besides you don’t wear enough dresses or skirts. When was the last time you wore a dress?”
After thinking for a moment Jennifer curtly replied “Kendra’s wedding.”
Both Kathy and Kamilah laughed, “That was 8 years ago!”
“Was it really?” Jennifer couldn’t believe it had been that long. “Well, surely I’ve worn a dress since then.”
Kathy and Kamilah shook their heads in the negative.
“A skirt?”
Again they gave her a negative shake of the head.
“Really? Are you sure?”
“I can’t think of any time in the not so far past in which you haven’t worn pants.” Announced Kamilah
“Well, I don’t like to shave my legs.” Jennifer began to think “Oh no!”
“What?”
“I don’t think I shaved my legs!” She reached down to feel her legs, but they were smooth. “Oh thank goodness for those laser treatments we got” Jennifer remembered, she had won them at a raffle in the mall and Kamilah had been more than willing to do it with her. One of the few things she ever won, of course it would be for laser hair removal treatments.
Kamilah said, “See nothing to worry about.”
“Hey, it could have been a real problem. You can’t spring these things on a girl.”
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Comments: 8
After several edits and rewrites, I ended up with just over 50,000 words and it's now published, so YES it can be done, but discipline is the key factor. You have to discipline yourself to do it.
Sounds like you have a really lighthearted novel going for you. Keep writing and see it through to the 50,000 word mark, or better yet keep going if you finish early. There's no rule saying you can't write more and finish your first draft up in the month.
Whatever you do just keep writing no matter what!
Facing the Darkness to Come: Seasonal Depression
Light Box Therapy for SAD
2,000 words a day??? GOOD LUCK!!! but don't give up...........
Beverly, light box therapy works.
Good luck to all.
Your Jennifer character is totally ME so if you need to interview for subject matter...
:)
I saw last night you had over 9,000 words! Good Job! It got me motivated to get to work a half hour early and pound out a silly myth/legend for my book again.
Together we can DO this thing!
Keep going!!!