Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Thursday Thirteen - 135 - 13 Things That Kept Me Going During NaNoWriMo

1 - Victory is mine!



2 -



3 - My fellow bloggers who also did NaNo












4 - My fellow Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada sisters who also did NaNo














5 - Gummies














6 - Those pep-talk emails sent out by Chris Baty, the originator of NaNoWriMo. Especially the one where he said:

"Group Two: The Come-Back Kids. You are part of the vast middle. You're still bushwhacking through the 20,000s or making the trek through the 30,000s. It's going to take some work, and you'll probably validate your novel at the very last minute, but victory is still in sight. Update your time zone (under user settings) so the Validator is there when you need it, and keep on trucking.

To the Come-Back-Kids: I am so with you. I somehow fall 10,000 words behind pace every year. I also win every year, and you can too. Easy-peasy. Our path to victory lies in huge word-count days. The sooner you knock out your first 5,000-word day, the happier you and your book will be. Don't wait until the last minute! To help get some momentum, allow yourself to write the juiciest, word-filled climactic scenes still to come in your book, even if it requires some skipping ahead. Start writing as soon as you finish this email.

To everyone: Have a great final lap of NaNoWriMo. Write like the wind! We're almost home.

Warm noveling regards,

Chris
30,001 words"


I can't tell you how much difference this email made for me. I was sitting at 31,004 words and taking a step back, thinking well, I had the flu, I managed 31,000 words, I'll be happy with that and step out of the race.

But I read his email and finished the marathon. Thanks, Chris.

7 - My characters - they want to live!















8 - My lack of migraines. Thanks, Vivian!



















9 - I reminded myself that marathons aren't meant to be easy.


















10 - Being stubborn.










11 - Pinot Grigio which my husband bought for me a few years ago when I completed my very first NaNoWriMo. I saved it until I could write The End on that book - which I did with this year's NaNo.















12 - My Xena - I know you fired me. No time for Pack cuddles this month, except when I was sick. But it seems like you hired me back on for another stretch. Love you.














13 - My husband - thanks, love.


















Jennifer Leeland says Those are some VERY important supports. Especially the Grigio. LOL.

Paige Tyler says Great list! *hugs*

Brenda ND says It's wonderful you finished and that you have such a supportive hubby!

10 comments:

Jennifer Leeland said...

Those are some VERY important supports. Especially the Grigio. LOL.
Great job doing NaNo!!!!

Paige Tyler said...

Great list!

*hugs*
Paige

My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/

Mia Celeste said...

It's wonderful you finished and that you have such a supportive hubby!

Pop Art Diva Enterprises said...

Martinis keep me going, lol. They were so important to my sanity I actually ended up starting a Martini Business with blogs, stores, paintings and the whole shebang! (http://TheMartiniDiva.com)

Thanks for stopping by my TT: The Best Part of CHRISTMAS PAST - yes, we might be twins separated at birth, lol!

Alice Audrey said...

For me the best part of NaNo was sitting in a room full of silently typing people. I don't know why it was so good for my word count, but it sure was.

i beati said...

be proud be very proud sandy

storyteller said...

Congratulations on your success! I've never attempted NaNoWriMo though I did NaBloPoMo in 2007 and 2008 ... not this year though. Wonderful to have such support ;-)

I've shared T-13s at Happily Retired Gal and Sacred Ruminations this week ... just because.
Hugs and blessings,

Susan Helene Gottfried said...

I'm proud of you for finishing and not giving up. And for digging in and finding that you CAN. You go, babydoll.

Cate Masters said...

Go Julia! Congrats on crossing the finish line. Great tribute to your NaNo supporters.

Louise said...

Congrats on doing the NaNo WriMo Julia! Well done! I am thinking, when do readers get to see all those novels being written during NaNo? Are they meant for the drawer or will they get published?