NaNoWriMo 2013 - WINNER!

This was a hard NaNo for me. I did struggle a bit through this month, but came out in the end 56+k richer in words.

Yeah, sounds like I'm exaggerating about the harder NaNo for me. But I'm not. I struggled in the beginning. I was working on a sequel novella and by the forth day of the month I was tired of fighting it. It didn't feel right for me. I took a day off. Felt as if I was not going to get ANY words this month. Since the beginning of June life has been a bit hectic with family stuff. With all that's happening my creative side seemed to go on strike. I didn't feel as I could create anything. So, Jackie (@seolmara) talked me into doing a flash fiction. Then I got the spark idea for Dragon Gods. And I just COULDN'T let Starla Huchton (@riznphnx) beat me to 50k (which she did in the end).

I got through Dragon Gods and believe it or not had two story ideas sparking in the front of my mind. Yes, front. Not back. One of which I debated on starting for Nano when I couldn't go with my original idea, but it needs more research to it than I had time for at that moment. The second idea, I dictated onto my iPod and phone and have created note cards for. I'm ready to start it here in December.

But back to Nano...

What did I learn?
1.) No Sequels - At this point in my writing ability, I'm not able to breeze through a sequel book for NaNo.

2.) Free-for-all Writings - Sometimes you just need to write a project that will go no where. One to get the juices flowing again. Something creative but fun. This is what I did for NaNo this year.

3.) Needed, Good Healthy Competition - I am one that likes a good healthy competition. Starla Huchton gives me that. Although, she has surpassed my writing speed with all her amazing works this year, she still makes me work. Thank you Starla!

4.) Support System - Nano is rough. It's a lot. But the great support system to help keep you going when you need that kick in the kester is wonderful. Jackie really helped me when I was stuck. When I was ready to say "I'm done" Jackie suggested something that helped me pick up the pieces and keep moving forward. Even if we each wrote a book of short stories for Nano, we were going to keep going. Thank you Jackie!

5.) Get the Juices Flowing! - Once you get going, the ideas will come. Kind of like, You build it, they will come. Well, they do. I was exctatic to finish out Nano with two ideas sparking in my mind.


Once again, Nano go my juices flowing. Now, life willing, I will remain active in getting projects out of my head and in black and white along with re-writes of past projects.


The Results:
Sleeping Beauty Laying Beneath: 8,612
Short Story: 1,671
Dragon Gods: 46,120

(And I even had 836 words that I added to first story that I forgot to add into the count at NaNoWriMo.)