Thinking About NaNoWriMo 2015? 6 Reasons Why I Might Not Enter (And You?)

Luana Spinetti4 Comments
NaNoWriMo Day 8: Seclusion
Creative Commons License mpclemens via Compfight

I have taken the option to enter NaNoWriMo 2015 in serious consideration since the year started.

After struggling with sensory overwhelm for most of the last year, I found it difficult to stick to a definite schedule to get my novel drafts complete — and hitting 50,000 words minimum.

My previous novels are still incomplete. Overwhelm often means I will completely disconnect with my characters and their worlds, so I will shut down and wind up being unable to continue the character development writing process.

That doesn’t mean I will surrender, however.

It might take another two years, another four, maybe ten — but I will get there eventually. I will get to complete my novels for good and to indie publish them. It might take some psychotherapy to help with my overwhelm, but it can be done.

So I have many drafts still in progress. Should I still enter NaNoWriMo this year?

I guess NOT. Here’s why:

1. Incomplete drafts pile up

I have collected five novel drafts plus several incomplete short story collections over the years, so if I have to get back to do something creative, it’s my current drafts that I should finish, not start a new one.

2. I will not be home the last week of November to work on my NaNo

I will be in London to see one of my children and I will not be able to work on my novel.

Besides, I want to enjoy that precious time with my child without other things — for how cool and enjoyable — getting in the way.

3. Freelance work committments have priority

I need money, that’s the naked truth.

I need money to help my spiritual children and for my travels abroad, so I cut down other committments unless they are absolutely critical and cannot be postponed.

Also, I’m on the lookout for new clients, so I need to dedicate more time to marketing and less time to creative writing in November and December (that means NaNo would really get in the way this year).

4. I burn out easily this year

In addition to sensory overwhelm, I find myself burning out often and easily of late.

My tolerance to stress has lowered since my last depression in May, so adding more work to my already packed schedule doesn’t sound like a good idea.

5. I have children and robots-to-be

My spiritual children need me and I want to be there for them rather than spending too much time on my own things.

Also, the robots I want to start building in 2017 require that I study hard when I have a bit of free time, so to start a new novel draft would be overkill this year.

6. No ideas on what write about (honestly)

Yes, I wouldn’t know what to write about.

My genre is always Sci-Fi and my stories always include robots, but I haven’t worked on a list of story ideas like the past years, no brainstorming nor anything else, so I would start my NaNo without proper character development prior.

Not really something I’m willing to do.

Your Turn

Are you going to enter NaNoWriMo 2015?

What are your reasons for entering or not entering?

Hotels and Bar Supplies – Ingredients to a Good Story?

Luana SpinettiLeave a comment
Campfire Stories @ Pelahatchie Library
Image by CMRLS Photos via Compfight

How can a writer get good story ideas from hotel resorts and bar supplies, you’d ask?

Well, writers are not unlikely to be  inspired by daily things. A closet may become the perfect excuse for mystery or fantasy events, a doll could bring back to old family memories that cross borders with history and drama. Even resorts and bar supplies could be the perfect setting for a thriller, or a story revolving around mysterious character who never stops by a city for more than one night.

Looking at bar supplies for setting ideas, you can have that barman in your story who always messes up with colors and decorations and loses his job, only to find himself catapulted into a strange world where things work the contrary way. See what I mean?

When I visited the PeachSuite.com catalog (note: sponsored mention), for example, I found out I could use pretty much anything to develop a good plot, and that sometimes randomizing my plot choices helps. Even simple bar stools can turn into the element that triggers action, new events and an overall move forward of the story.

Narration is an art, but without the real world coming into a writer’s rescue… I’m afraid we all would end up being so boring. :) And there’s no room for boredom in art, isn’t it?

Humble Jobs For A Story’s Protagonist? Yes, Absolutely!

Luana SpinettiLeave a comment

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What if a character of mine worked for a service like Maid to Please?

I’m sure you know what I mean.

Humble jobs. Yet jobs filled with love and passion for what people do.

One of my newest fictional characters, Reina Pater, works for a house-cleaning service. Only for some time in her story, but yes, she does. And it doesn’t make her a cybernetic Cinderella.

The cleaning job actually teaches her to be more human-like. She learns what it means to be a human being with all the hopes, sacrifices and dreams involved. She grows as a character and as a person.

In the past, I used to give my protagonists big jobs. They’re important persons in my stories, aren’t them? So why not giving them important jobs, too?

But I was SO WRONG!

Nothing makes a character more approachable, credible and close to the reader than a character who embraces humility in his or her life. Then s/he can grow out of it, but the first part of a story should show some sacrifice on the protagonist’s behalf.

Try it. Then let me know what your readers think.

I’m sure they’re going to fall in love with your protagonist. :)