Getting Unstuck

Before I reached the half-way mark (25,000 of 50,000 words) during this NaNoWriMo, I felt truly stuck. I didn't want to sit down at my computer because I wouldn't even be able to pick up from where I was without feeling like I was fumbling my way around, and I was afraid of putting down thousands of words that would be useless to my story. I knew my ending, knew where I was headed with my story, but didn't know what should go in the middle to get me there.

So, I fell back on my safety net and refreshed myself with a very helpful YouTube video of Dan Wells on Story Structure. (watch it here) It is rich with example plot lines from familiar stories, and he walks you through how to get your own story structured, working with intuitive building blocks, rather than chronological. It's great. I worked through my snags, filled in that gap in the middle of my novel and even realized a subplot that was lurking on the sidelines that would help bind the whole thing together. Now I am back on track, with almost 34,000 words drafted. Woo Hoo!

I am noticing a trend of the most important tools I'm using this time around, very similar to 2011.

Post-it notes! I have them stuck to the wall beside my desk, each one a visual representation of a chapter. I have the POV character listed first, then a brief snippet of what happens in that chapter. They are lined up in order, so I can grab one and enter it into Scrivener's notecards when I'm ready to tackle that chapter and I'm off to a good start.

Timer is definitely a best friend again, setting fifteen minute increments (sometimes back-to-back) which helps me not feel overwhelmed, because it is only fifteen minutes, after all! And it keeps my fingers clacking away at that keyboard.

Another thing that I used in 2011 as well, but failed to mention...
Writer's Digest Weekly Planner. This thing is awesome. There is so much space for everything I need. There are 54 undated weeks-- which is perfect, because I was able to come back to the same planner and pick up with it, five years later!! Between each week there is a whole two-page layout for Goals, Notes, and Musings. Each day of the week has space enough for agenda items, and daily writing goals, because I LOVE CHECKLISTS. There are also helpful and encouraging essays, inspirational quotes, and seven sample query letters. If you are interested in getting one of your own, check it out here.

If you are a writer, I hope your words are singing along! Share what tricks you've used to get unstuck!

Back at It

Wow. A lot happens in five years. Five years! We moved houses, had a baby, took some vacations, lost our dog to cancer, and basically life took over.
Honestly, since our daughter was born two years ago, I had not worked on anything new. I did scrutinize my first manuscript, and scrutinize it again. Still it feels incomplete, like I am missing a key piece of motivation (perhaps on the page and off.) I am still passionate about that original project, but as it is the first in a planned series, I have to get it right. So, I set it aside, while I stretch my atrophied writing muscles.
I came across a Facebook memory from five years ago announcing I was going to participate in NaNoWriMo 2011, and it brought me back here. After reading my posts about that experience, it got me excited to take on the challenge once again, but this time with a standalone project.
The story seedling came on August 24th, 2015, while I read a passage in the Old Testament about God's covenant faithfulness, in the face of rebellion and spiritual adultery.
I know the date because I recorded the barest details of the concept, including a working first line, in Simplenote. (A free app, available for both Apple devices and Android, and also accessible online at Simplenote.com) Simplenote has been such an awesome tool for me because it keeps my files synced across all my devices. This is great for on the go notetaking. I love it.
So, I'm taking a lot of my own advice and I brainstormed for the last week of October and at midnight on the morning of November 1st, I sat at my computer and began to type. Here is where I began...

" 

Today they will change her name.
She can barely hold herself up, and several times she has been supported by the maids in the room- how many are there- three? She can barely think. Her head is weak. She presses a palm against her eye, where a throbbing ache is blooming. The image of her hand covered in his blood flashes into her mind and she pulls it away. She shudders at what she is responsible for. 

"

Two hours later-- I was shocked to see the time-- I had three chapters and 1,694 words. An on-target beginning to the challenge.
Here were a few personal tricks I applied to the night's writing:
>>>  I set a timer a few times just to keep my fingers moving.
>>>  I worked out point of view over a few scenes. This time I am not doing first person, but multiple POV in third person, separated, so far, by chapters as to keep from feeling like we're head-hopping.
>>>  I delved into my characters senses to give a true feel for what was happening internally and externally in a scene.
>>> I tried to surprise myself as often as possible with better story advancement than what I went into the scene anticipating.
>>>  And, I stopped in the middle of a clear moment so that I can pick up again, easily, tonight.

Keep watch for updates on my progress and additional snippets.

Now, I am off to slide back into the remainder of that suspended scene.