Image found at http://www.literaryduckblog.org/2011/04/10-favorite-collections-to-celebrate-national-poetry-month/
Sono distrutta. There is no other way to state it. After studying for some hours at the library, then returning home with the goal of organizing my outline for NaNoWriMo on YWriter5, I honestly feel like my brain is melting.
For those of you who either do not know, or have forgotten–November is National Novel Writing Month. What, do you ask, is National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)? Well, it is a simple test of will and stamina. At least, that’s how I see it. I am certain that other people have more that they could say on the subject. This is, however, my first attempt at NaNoWriMo, and so…I will leave any further comments about it until after the fact.
According to the official website, “National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing on November 1. The goal is to write a 50,000-word (approximately 175-page) novel by 11:59:59 PM on November 30.”
Yes, that’s right… Fifty thousand words…One hundred and seventy-five pages…In one month…Um, should I say “Uncle” now?
No, no, I am actually looking forward to it. Moreover, I have been diligently preparing. Hence, YWriter5. What is YWriter5? It is a word processor created by Simon Haynes (author and programmer), and is specifically designed to meet the needs of authors as they create their novels. I first learnt about YWriter a couple of months ago while reading/listening to K. M. Weiland’s Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way To Success. By the way, K. M. Weiland‘s book is truly amazing. It really helped me to translate my thoughts (I think in images) into words on paper. It is a book that I have read many time since purchasing it.
The setup for NaNoWriMo at home, if I need to be portable. Long exposure lit by sweeping an LED flashlight over the scene. clickthing.blogspot.com/2008/10/tennish-anyone.html (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Now, I am still fairly new to YWriter (as in today-new). My experience with it thus far, however, has been truly great! The structure of the program really suits my way of thinking. There are sections for characters, scenes, chapters, locations, etc. And also, the sections are further broken down.
For example, the Character section includes biography, goals, notes, image, etc. And even within those sections, there is still some break down. Thus, the program really pushes you to think about the various aspects of how you are designing characters, settings, or outlining your chapters and explaining your scenes. If you like to write, then it seems like a great tool try…Plus, it’s free.
Anyway, the point of my ramble today was not to act as a promoter, but to share my success in actually using YWriter to begin organizing my project (I hate to say the word “novel.” It feels a bit too scary at this time). Now, what I have come to realize by engaging in this process is that when I write long-hand, I lack organization like nobody’s business.
Seriously, I have notes scratched here and there. Somethings that were started at the beginning of one notebook were continued at the end of the notebook, or on a piece of scratch paper. I am learning to smile at myself…and I am wicked glad (yes, I wrote “wicked”) that I found YWriter in time to organize myself for NaNoWriMo.
November (Photo credit: kurafire)
Well, I am off to search for more loose pieces of paper before heading off to bed. Also, if you have ever thought to yourself, Man, I think I could write a book/novel/short story/whatever, then consider joining me on my NaNoWriMo journey…we can cry and laugh together. Twelve days and counting…Until Next Time!
Best,
D.
Related articles
- Redundant? Write The Book You Have Always Wanted To Write With NaNoWriMo (beatredundancyblues.wordpress.com)
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- Help! NaNoWriMo angst (carolinewilde.com)
- NaNoWriMo Prep: Establish a Writing Practice (12novels.com)
- Are you going to NaNoWriMo? (shawnbird.com)
- How Not to Starve During NaNoWriMo (doingthewritething.wordpress.com)
Toward the within... 
I’ll give Y writer a try. I was mapping out my outline on Pages and accidentally undid it and shut the programme. All gone 😦
Ugh, that’s awful that that happened. 😦 Do check out YWriter. It may seem a little complex at first, but you can google instructions if needs be, or ask me! 🙂 Glad you’re going to give it a try!
This is a great post. I wish you much success with NaNo and can’t wait to hear how you get on. Thanks for linking to my blog: http://www.beatredundancyblues.wordpress.com
Thank you so much too for taking the time to post and for liking this posting! 🙂
You are welcome. I look forward to reading more.
Yay! Another yWriter convert. I absolutely adore that program. So glad you enjoyed Outlining Your Novel. Thanks for the shout out!
Absolutely my pleasure! It’s such an awesome program. Each time I use it, I find some new aspect about it that I am like, “Oh, yeah! This is really useful!” Moreover, it is really helping to see the weak points in my outline! Seriously, I am very grateful!
Whoops. That last comment showed up under someone else’s WordPress profile. Anyway, thanks much for the shout out!
No, thank you! Your book is really wonderful. It has helped me to make sense out of the story chaos in my head. 🙂 Also, thank you for stopping by!