My favorite part of social media is the opportunity to meet new people and learn new things. It just so happens that in tonight’s #NaNoWriMo Twitter feed, I met author, Brittany Severn, who invited anyone who would like to join her in live blogging for NaNoWriMo. The goal of live blogging is to support one another in writing by documenting your journey towards reaching that day’s word count goal. Since I’m into Life Experiments and team efforts, why not? Sounds like fun!
**Fellow NaNoWriMo participants, feel free to join!**
Ningyuan Rice Fields
For those of you who don’t know, I’ve been wanting to write a book about my first year in China called Heart Language for the past 5 years. For whatever reason, I have not been able to consistently work on it, much less finish it. For the past 19 days, I have been writing non-stop. I only took 1 day off. I leave Friday to fulfill my longterm dream by starting my round-the-world adventure. It’s time for me to finally finish the book and share it with the world.
I have 7,191 words to go to reach my NaNoWriMo goal of 50K by Thanksgiving.
Today’s goal: 2,500 words
The Journey:
11:25PM: Debating on whether or not I should turn off Star Trek: First Contact. I do love Star Trek, but I have seen this movie multiple times. Time to turn off the TV and get down to business. (<—– nerd alert, I know)
11:56PM: Just finished writing this post. Dotting my i’s before I hit “publish” and start working on the book.
12:02AM: Another log on the fire.
Creating the writing mood
12:15AM: i’s dotted. Time to post!
12:50AM: Several social networking posts later, I’m off Facebook. And soon to be off Twitter. Will rejoin the writing world shortly…
0 / 2,500 Words
1:29AM: Logged off all social networking distractions. Phone died. Got a snack. Put more logs on the fire. Just started my Heart Language playlist. Time to write!
Excerpt from Playlist
0/2,500 Words (but not for long)
3:27AM: Skype break.
1,674/2,500 Words
4:23AM: Resumed writing. Highly recommend the Benjamin Button soundtrack by Alexadre Desplat.
2,015/2,500 Words
4:50AM: Reached my goal, but I’m not finished with this chapter, so I’m going to keep writing.
2,256/2,500 Words
5:15AM: Still not done with this chapter, but I will be fresher tomorrow. Sleep time!
You’re so close to 50k! I’m jealous. I’m really close to 30k, but at this point last year I was about where you are. I really need to step the writing up! Also, I wish I had a fire going.
Final push! Well, I’m very impressed by your writing. And I noticed that you were selected as the NaNoWriMo winner last year? That’s impressive. How does that work? This is my first NaNoWriMo, but as you saw in the post, I’ve been trying to write this book for the past 5 years, so I’m very grateful that I’ve had the dedication and stamina to write everyday. As someone said in a NaNoWriMo Facebook group I belong to, “Damn girl. That book wants out!”
Anyone who reaches their 50,000 by the 30th “wins”. There are some prizes, usually 50% off some different software, and this year createspace is offering five free “proof” (basically a paperback) copies of the finished product (you have a year to claim it I think, so it gives you time to edit). Also, your local region might be doing some stuff. I know the one near me has a wrap-up party with raffle prizes and stuff like that. 🙂
Oh, that’s awesome! 4K+ to go! Do they just send you an email when you reach your goal on the NaNoWriMo profile?
That fire looks so cozy! If I wasn’t terrified of setting the house ablaze, I would light one myself. Good luck with your goal tonight!
Haha. Thank you! You too! Given that it’s already 12:55AM, and I’m still at 0 words, it may be a long night…
Congratulations Jacqueline! I’m inspired! This is on my list to do next year. I’m excited about reading your book when it’s finished. And I really love the title. You mentioned you will be leaving on your round the world adventure. I’m headed to Ecuador in late December for most of January. If you find yourself in So. America do let me know! I too will be blogging about it and eventually a book will be produced. Best wishes!
That sounds great, Sohpia! Let’s definitely keep in touch!
Wow you write so late into the night! I can’t work after 11pm, my brain just doesn’t function after this time. You stop writing at the same time that I wake up to start writing 😉
I do indeed! Now that I’m on boat time (see latest post: https://6monthstolive.me/the-adventure-begins-again/), I’m generally in bed by 10pm or earlier, but nighttime is my optimum time for writing. High five to both of us for getting the writing done at whatever time of day it takes! 😉
Oh my, you are a night owl! I am chronically distracated, too! Have been known to sentence myself time at the library just to stay on track!
I’ve been behind the whole month…am now at 40, 465 but not giving up!!
This is my 3rd NaNo and I absolutely love it!
How’s your novel coming?
That’s awesome, Denise! Sorry for the delayed response. I was sailing for the past 9 days (see the latest post: https://6monthstolive.me/the-adventure-begins-again/) and am just now getting a chance to catch up. I hit 50,777 the day before Thanksgiving because I had to head out for this trip. It was my first NaNoWriMo, and I absolutely loved it. The best part was sharing it with others and feeling like I had a group to collaborate and encourage one another.
How did your book turn out? I still have a LOT more editing and writing to do. 😉
Online media really helps people to be connected with interesting people. We don’t meet nice people everyday in our neighborhood. I have blog, facebook and flickr. I used to have twiter. But, I don’t use it anymore. I don’t know why I don’t like twiter.I just can’t type lots of words each time. Maybe I just talk too much 🙂
Thanks for commenting, Ana! I think social media is an amazing tool when used well. My favorite part is by far, meeting people I wouldn’t normally have a chance to meet. 🙂