NaNoWriMo 2016 Part#2

Here we are again to answer more questions about my novel!

In case you missed it here is the link to the post where I introduce the novel to you.

Just to recap: My novel is called The Salem Witches (so far) and it is basically about teenage witches, love and friendship. It is mostly an all girl cast as well.

Come check out my answers, I even offer my writing apps and resources tips and advice no one asked for (well, the meme asked - so there).

I’m linking up with Beautiful Books!

Overall, how is your mental state, and how is your novel going?

I have written 25k! So I guess my novel is right on the schedule. A lot of it feels like pure garbage and there is way too many indulgence romance scenes (though they are on the subtle side of romance). As for my mental state. Well, let’s just say I am over caffeinated as we speak and I have written 5k (my personal record) today and plan on writing 10k tomorrow. 

What’s your first sentence (or paragraph)?

First of all, I will say that this first paragraph is so completely out of character with the rest of the story. And it is obviously unedited. But the story needs to start somewhere. I think I like Fiona’s voice though and I think I have kept it consistent throughout the novel.

It never occurred to me that night would change my life. But it did. Of course, I started the night expecting to hook up with someone. I know it sounds shallow, but what else do I want to go to a dance for? I like dressing up as much as anyone, but I don’t really enjoy the whole “let’s all get together and talk really loud and dance to silly electronic music with no lyrics”. So I went to Farendel High´s Winter Dance for basically two reasons: because my friend Horace really wanted to go, and did not want to spend the night watching episodes IV-VI of Star Wars with me; and because I was expecting to make out with Ben Hollis for a bit. Ben and I have made out before, so it’s not like I was some loser crushing on him that he doesn’t know exists (like a lot of girls actually since Ben is one of the cutest guys in the second year class).

Who’s your current favourite character in your novel?

Drasiella. It has always been Drasiella. She is a tall, very blonde and very pale girl who comes from a rich family.   strong minded and stubborn, meticulous about work and organization

What do you love about your novel so far?

Did I mention Drasiella? Also, I like the way my plot is going so far. I have this bare bones outline (and I am thinking next time I want to write a novel I will outline harder) but my characters are kind of disobeying it. 

Have you made any hilarious typos or other mistakes?

I usually either correct my typos right way or never look at them again (until editing time. Won’t that be perfect?)

What is your favourite to write: beginning, middle, or end — and why?

Hum. I guess I like the middle, because that’s where you can get things going with the story, you already passed that introduction point and now you get to just have fun with your characters and watch them grow and interact with each other. And endings are kind of hard because there is that pressure of wrapping up everything in the story.

What are your writing habits? Is there a specific snack you eat? Do you listen to music? What time of day do you write best? Feel free to show us a picture of your writing space!

I haven’t been writing lately before this NaNoWriMo (I have written a lot in the past, but not in the recent past), but I recently got inspired and the month of November turned up, so I went for it. Needless to say, I wasn’t very prepared writing space wise, so I am still figuring out my habits.

I learned that I can write just about anywhere as long as I am either alone or surrounded by people I don’t know. I can write even on my phone apps (I got a few specific for writing - I’m liking Wordsmith, but I wish it didn’t have so many payment-only features). But mostly I work best writing on my computer (I’m using Google Docs - it is simple, clean and helps you focus on the words only and there is a plus of saving automatically), sitting or laying on my bed. Not the healthiest. I write best when I have the entire day to myself or when I can make writing first thing in the morning.

 I like to look at my Pinterest board for my story before I start to kick up my inspiration, and I also have all my novel things (characters, outline, ideas, chapters, snippets and world building materials) on an Evernote notebook that I keep in check for reference. After that I begin writing. Sometimes I listen to the playlist I made for the novel. But I’m not very good with playlists and I find music distracting, because I want to get up and sing, so most of the time I write to ambient noise only. I also like to snack when I reach certain word counts as a reward.

How private are you about your novel while you’re writing? Do you need a cheer squad or do you work alone (like, ahem, Batman)?

I don’t really like to share details of the novel, especially since I haven’t quite figure out all of them yet. I don’t want to share too much before it is ready to be out there. When the first draft becomes ready for editing, then I will share it with trustworthy betas (If I can find any - the position is up for grabs).

What keeps you writing even when it’s hard?

I guess the NaNoWriMo goal helps me. I don’t like feeling like I gave up on something or that I failed something, even if it’s something I set up for myself. So it keeps me going because I tell myself that I can do this. That if I win this I won’t be such a failure. Also, I want to be able to call myself a writer and to finish a project (I’ve started many unfinished writing projects back in the day).

Another thing that keeps me going is coffee. I swear, I almost gave up on doing 5k today and then I had a cup of coffee and powered through those last few words. I did not use to be this addicted to coffee, I swear. I blame my friends. If they read this, they know who they are.

What are your top 3 pieces of writing advice?

I don’t feel really qualified to give advice, but here goes.

First thing: write what you want to write. Not what you feel you should or how you feel you should. I am Brazilian, but I like English better and I don’t think I could write so much in Portuguese (maybe because I never read fantasy - which is what I write right now - in Portuguese and it just never fitted with how I wanted the story to go). This is just an example. Write what you want and how you want and because you want to write it.

Second thing: try not to second guess your writing decisions. Just keep going and edit later if needed be.

Third thing: Use mini-goals and rewards system. It is very simple. I do things like: If I write these next 300-1000 words, I get to watch an episode of Gilmore Girls/Once Upon a Time/whatever Or bigger things, like if I reach 2,5k I get to go have lunch and chill for 2h. Setting up for big goals and rewards doesn’t work, because it is too far away and you will want to be rewarded now. So don’t say, when I reach 20k I will go to a pub with my friends, because that is not going to work. Do reward yourself when you reach those big goals, just don’t use the reward as way to encourage yourself to reach them, because your dopamine system just doesn’t work like that.

Okay, I’m gonna go for now. If anyone has read this whole thing, tell me: what are your favorite writing tools? And your must trustworthy advice?