NaNoWriMo AKA National Novel Writing Month. This is my second year of participation in this event. Last year I was a new novelist, still very wet behind the ears, so to speak. I was a slow writer and did a lot of editing as I went. The lesson I learned from last year’s participation was how to write quickly without editing. That lesson has helped me with my subsequent writing endeavors.

This year, I hit the ground running with a new story, but not a new idea. My current WIP is a contemporary fantasy set mainly in Scotland. It has been alive as a concept for almost two years now, but has taken back seat to my contemporary fiction series about the girl jockey. I began NaNo with an extensive synopsis, character list and a few chapters written.

On Day One, I wrote 1140 words. A decent start, but not the 1700 per day needed to make the 50k word goal by November 30th. But on Day Two, a Saturday, I managed 5928. Wow! That pace has not been consistent, but except for four days, I’ve written over 2000 words a day. Best of all, the story is progressing.

It’s day fourteen and I have written 37,160 words on The Patterner’s Key. I’m so excited that I might be done with my 50k goal before the 30 November deadline rolls around. Even better, the story has over 70,000 words in total and the action has picked up. The story revolves around two main characters. Rowan is a mixture of several races: human, faerie, and dryad. But she doesn’t know any of that. Birk is dryad. (Yes, I know nymphs are said to only be female, but there’s an explanation for that. You’ll have to read the story to find out what it is, of course.) Rowan and Birk’s lives are tied together through an ancient prophecy. A necklace, a tattoo, and several books are involved, but that’s all I’m going to divulge at this point.

Here’s the title meme.

It has been a delight returning to Scotland, even if only via Google maps, images and Internet articles. I am looking forward to someday returning to the fascinating country to verify my information and add details.

Day 20. I did it! I’ve reached 50,039 words. Woot! And there are still ten days to go. My story is not finished, so I will keep writing. I have notes on the bits I’m missing, so I’m praying the story finishes well and quickly.

I’ve definitely learned to write faster with less revision. I’m writing the first draft for me. I just want to get the gist of the story in a document. I’m creating a roadmap for revision, if you will. Drafts two, three, and four will be for rearranging and prettifying everything. Then I will add depth of character, better verbs and images, more sensory words and description. That will be fun.

Have you ever embarked on a project in a community? Was the accountability helpful to you? What did you learn?

I’d love to hear comments from my readers, so connect below. I pray your Christmas preparations include time to relax and read a great book!

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