Next Up: NaNo 2019

NaNoWriMo 2019 is nearly here! I'm as prepared as I'm going to be with half an outline and no character names. I guess I still have today to prep those, because there are six main characters. I need names.

Every year I want to win. This year I'm GOING to win. It's not to have the feeling of accomplishment or to be able to brag that I did it. I know I'm going to win because I have a good idea, I have the will to get it done this month, and this is a huge test for me to not let distractions get in my way. Too easily I bend to distractions and because my line of work is always evolving, I have to be able to evolve with it. Also, I need something to transition into the revision phase because every other project, no matter what phase it is in right now, is just not speaking to me. I know putting the work in would help me get past that on any other project, but I need something fresh right now to get back into the groove.

So what can you expect when you are following me on my NaNo journey? Every year I try to find new and exciting ways to share the process and some of the project without giving it all away. The idea I came up with this year is to post the first line and the last line of what I write each day. Not only does it give a glimpse into where the story is heading, but it will keep me accountable throughout the process. I'm going to post these on Patreon but I'm going to make these posts public so anyone can see them. Of course, if you like those posts, there are many more that you can catch up on for just $1 a month (hint, hint).

It's time to get ready for this next great adventure. Oh, and Happy Halloween!

Death to (Most) Deadlines

Deadlines are a great tool for getting things done. But do they really help when they are picked at random? I've been talking for a few weeks about the writing calendar I put together for the end of the year. I had scheduled work for five different writing projects on it. I set firm deadlines for revising and even releasing some of the projects. But what did these deadlines mean when it came to the day it was to be something great and it just wasn't there yet?

Arbitrary deadlines don't help writing. I know that traditionally published authors probably have firm deadlines that can't be changed, but these people have a team backing them up. Indie authors don't always have that kind of support for each project (but kudos to the ones who do!). I know that my team of people I lean on is quite small, and they are not always available for every project. That just means I have to work harder to survive in the indie landscape. And that's why I'm declaring death to those deadlines I set. My five projects are not to the point where I would want them to be, and I'm not going to rush the process.

I did promise a novella written, revised and published by the end of October. That's not happening. I tried my best, but now I realized every project has it's own growth and development. Melody of Love was my success story--a novella written, revised and published within three weeks. Looking at that pace now, it seems crazy. For this followup novella, that pace just couldn't be kept. And since it is Halloween-themed, this novella won't see the light of day for another year. And that's totally okay.

I'm all for putting the pressure on to get a good product, but if a deadline doesn't feel right, don't force yourself to release something that just isn't ready. It won't help your writing career or the reputation of indie authors.