It’s 1 November which means NaNoWriMo has begun. Much joy. Yesterday I did a bit of GMC (not a very good job of it) and most of today worried that the story I had in mind wasn’t ready. I was thinking things through and just kept coming up with more questions.
I could see vaguely what was happening in the first part but the second and third parts were a bit hazy. I knew how the whole thing had to end and a couple of things in the middle but it wasn’t enough to hang a whole book on. Not yet anyway. I did think that perhaps I could just start and see where it led me but I have a feeling it wouldn’t have ended well.
While I agonised over this, an old idea that had been floating around surfaced at the front of my mind and began splashing about for attention. I’ve already got notes on what happens throughout, back story, character developments and the like and I was much more enamoured with this idea than the original one, especially as new tidbits were added.
So, tonight I began a new book. Different from my last one. Not connected in any way (although…). I started writing at about 7:45 and by 8:30 had written 2,000 words. I know I’m flying by the seat of my pants with it. I had to pull names out of the air for a plethora of characters that were populating the opening scene. But it’s on track. It will probably need major revisions but that’s for December (or January), not for now.
I’d forgotten how good it felt to just write and create a world. Bits and pieces came to the fore that I couldn’t have planned for. Characters were making themselves known and showing their alliances. It was fun!
I haven’t done a GMC on it. I probably will do one soon, just so I’ve got something to hold on to. I don’t want to get 20,000 in and realise it’s all falling apart. But that’s for later. For now, I’m basking in the after glow of putting 2000 words to computer screen. 48,000 to go.
How did your first day of NaNoWriMo go?
P.S. I’m loving the @nanowordsprints Twitter account. Check it out.
P.P.S. And my character looks like Henry Cavill.
Now that sounds like a successful day one!