First Draft is FINISHED!!!!!
I did it! I finished the first draft of my current project. Thank you very much NaNo!
I’m so so so relieved. If you were to ask me last July if I would even have written this book, I would have told you NO WAY. It’s beyond me. Too hard to write. Too different than what I’ve written before.
But then one of my crit partners said a very interesting thing after I told her my reasons. She said, “Then you need to write it.”
So I did.
Wow. Now, I don’t know if it will sell. I don’t even know if my agent is going to like it! But that doesn’t matter right now. Because I wrote a book that I needed to write and I was able to grow as a writer.
As a teacher, I’m continually pushing my students to step out of their comfort zones saying things like, “You can write five sentences, okay, let’s make it 8.” Or I might say, “You can write 8 sentences, let’s spice it up with adjectives.”
I pushed hard this past month using NaNo as my excuse. I wrote 35,000 words in November which was probably one of my busiest months ever (like as in my-entire-life ever). It made me realize how important time management was and how critical goal setting can be.
But it doesn’t stop there. I still have a long ways to go before I’m ready to send it off.
I opened the document today after giving myself a couple of days ‘off’ and groaned. The first chapter sucks. The last chapter is horrendous. My only consolation is the middle is pretty intense and at least I’m feeling good about that.
I’ve made a plan of action (yes, I’m a sucker for deadlines- I know, I’m weird) and I feel empowered now. I’ll blog more on that later this week.
And YES! As promised, I’ll be giving away BOOKS to celebrate. More on those details later in the week too.
So for those of you who did NaNo, how did your progress go? And if you didn’t, what do you do to motivate yourself?
*confetti!*
HURRAH for you!!!
<3 <3 <3
Congrats!!! I did Nano, and got to 11,000 words or so. I am pretty proud of myself because it was a story I didn’t think myself capable of writing but somehow I started and it’s flowing. I know there are major issues but somehow I gave myself permission to just let go and write! Congrats again! I’m hoping to finish after my finals.
Congratulations!
I told myself I’d participate in NaNo, but ended up not doing that for various reasons. But I’m making December my personal NaNo month. 🙂
Congrats! Finishing is the biggest step. 🙂
Thanks guys! I’m excited!
Yeah for your Emy. December will be your month.
YAY! Congrats, Christy! I can’t wait to read the rest! It’s AWESOME!!! 🙂
Wow! Congrats, Christy! November is a crazy month and I’m so glad you managed so many words and a finish! Now you can really enjoy the holidays!!
Way to go! Now you can get some sleep (ha!). I’ll be looking forward to seeing how this story grows and changes.
Congratulations!! That’s amazing 🙂 I’m sure your agent will love whatever you write!
CONGRATS! I’m in the same boat. I’m thrilled I finished my nano draft. Now, I just have to make it not suck. Because, right now…well, it sucks. But the hardest part is over! You can’t edit a blank page!! GOOD LUCK!
Yay!!!! Congratulations! What a great feeling of accomplishment! And good for you for focusing on that intense middle and not worrying too much and the beginning and end!
Nano was really good for me this year, too. I finished a rough draft in October and November that I’m really happy with. I’m working on something else at the moment, but so pleased to know I have that waiting for me on the back burner.
Wow! That is awesome! So proud of you! I can’t wait to get my hands on the next top seller, written by none other than Christina Farley!
Nice job! Have you looked into any of the self-publishing sites? I’ve always wondered how they work and if they’re worthwhile. Here’s hoping we see one of your works in print very soon! 🙂
Next year I want to do NaNO. Why? Because without it, I think my novels will remain mostly meager scraps of notes. 🙂
Yeah! I am so happy you are accomplishing so much. I am sure you will polish this up into a beauty and your publisher will love it. Congrats!
Thanks so much for the congrats! I’m excited. Still lots of work ahead- sigh. But I think it will be worth it.
Sharon- we can both be on the “ewrite the crap month”
Anne- this is great news!
Crystal- thank you! Let’s hope soon…
Jen- no I haven’t. I’ve still got my eyes on the bigger fish in the sea. Or even the whales. 🙂
Tina- let’s pray and cross all fingers and toes. Hows the little swimmer doing? Oh! So exciting!
Congratulations, Christy! You’ve written some very good stuff with this novel. I’m sure the revision will rock.
I am excited for you and inspired to try it too. Thank you.
Usually the middle the most difficult so way-to-go girl!!!
Congrats.
YEAH! Popping the cork, pouring a class of bubbly. Congratulations Christina!
I have to admit I haven’t been very motivated of late. It’s been a rough year. I’m looking forward to the New Year.
Good for you!!: )
It’s great you got so much done, especially in November, which has Thanksgiving and only 30 days. Even if people don’t get to 50k words, if they write thousands more than they would have otherwise, I count it a success.
YaY! Congratulations!
You go girl!