A final word about nanowrimo! I've had friends and readers ask me about the mechanics of nanowrimo. Did I start with an idea, begin writing the first sentence and go from there?

The short answer is yes.  I started with day one, scene one, and wrote from that point, not having a clue which characters would pop up or how their circumstances would change, evolve or disintegrate. That's the way I usually start.

At 50,000 words (I haven't written anymore!) I'm only two thirds of the way through a completed manuscript and I'd say I have a fair idea of where it is heading. But then again, a character or circumstance could pop up at 60,000 which might leave me thinking, ‘where the hell did that person/idea spring from?'

I know writers who plan every scene and every chapter and character flaw before they sit down at their computer but I'm not like that. I've always pretty much written straight through the first draft, not stopping until it's done. I never know where I'm going but I enjoy the roller coaster ride.

Having said that, I've never written 50,000 words in a month before. It's been a blast!

5 December

Still on Nanowrimo!

I'm so glad I entered the competition and would encourage anyone who has the time and inclination to enter next year, but yes, it was hard going at times!

So what have I learnt from the experience?

1. I don't need to cast aside huge blocks of time to write. I've always belived that I needed at least two interrupted hours to write so that my scenes would flow. No so! When I was doing nanowrimo, I'd write whenever I got the opportunity. Fifteen minutes before breakfast, half an hour in between other jobs or idling in the car line waiting to pick the kids up from school. I jotted down notes whenever I got a few spare moments. Above all, I learnt that it's okay to write in short bursts!

2. I can be disciplined! I had a goal of 50,000 words and I stuck to it. I also told a lot of people I was doing nanowrimo, and didn't want to look like a complete failure if I failed. So, during the lean writing times when I'd stare out the window and think I had nothing to write about, pride and humiliation kept me going!

3. You have put fear and self-doubt aside and keep slogging away towards the end goal, i.e. the beginning of a brand new manuscript!

4. I had to physically restrain myself from re-reading, editing and deleting but it was worth it because I forged ahead and kept up with my daily word count goals.

5. You have to write through the highs and lows - the times when your head is exploding with new ideas and the times when you've got absolutely nothing to work with.

6. Finally, I think that amongst the drivel, there's the start (or perhaps even the guts) of another novel.

It was fun but now I''m ready to take a break and do some serious reading of other people's writing.