Another NaNo has come and gone and I was not a winner, but I did get some writing done. This year in general I’ve written more than I did the previous year and for now I’m going to count that as a win.

This year left me with a grand total of 2,731 words (95% short of the 50,000 goal for NaNo). But it did get me closer to the 130,000 goal I have for the first draft of this novel at 67,000. I did write some in October so overall wrote around 5,000 words additionally. 

And honestly, I’m okay with that. I was getting married, going on my honeymoon, working and seeing family and during that time in October and November, I worked more on this draft than I have in a while. (And check out the gorgeous view I had while I did it!)

I think part of why I haven’t “won” NaNo the past few years is because each time I’ve worked on it I’ve been working on this same novel, which we’ll call Fissure.  I haven’t started something new seriously since 2014. And the middle of this story is hard for me. I know where I want my characters to go but I can’t figure out how to get them there.

What’s next?

My plan from here on out is to make a more detailed outline of what parts of the story I want to wrap-up in this novel and what pieces to leave for the next. I also need to know how to get them there and then to just write.

I’m hoping to finish this first draft soon. After that I’ll leave it for a month before going in and making revisions which will be a whole new experience for me. If any other story comes up in there I will write it as much as it needs to.

Ultimately I would like to have a completed and at least once revised draft of Fissure in 2019. Don’t be afraid to hold me to it. 

Fissure was started in NaNo 2014, which I won. This was during my freshman year of college where I had tons of time and used it as an escape from my tiny dorm and roommate. I loved being able to work on it as much as I did and really got into a habit. The other NaNo I won was in 2013 during my independent study class that turned into Running Through Darkness. Since those two Novembers life has become a lot busier and fuller but this story and writing in general still tugs at me all the time. 

With the New Year will come a lot of new goals for me, but something I know I will do is this. I love the story that I think could come from this and can’t wait to share it with you someday.