OOPS!

I am still working through my 2018 NANOWRIMO project and stumbled onto yet another inconsistency. I’ve already scratched my head more than once trying to figure out what I meant to say. I knew what I was saying at the time, but looking at sentences and paragraphs anew I struggle to make them out.

This time I had characters together in one location where the next phase of the story takes place. Problem is, two key characters couldn’t arrive there in the manner I originally described. So now I’m finagling an explanation so the plot can go forward as originally planned.

This all speaks to the speed composing that is NANOWRIMO. As well as the benefits of setting aside a piece of work to look at it with fresh eyes.

I didn’t do my usual pre-planning with this novel. As explained before, I’m a “plantser” who plans a route for a story but remains open to side trips and detours during the writing process. Plus, part of this novel was written during a Thanksgiving visit with friends and the associated interruptions to the NANOWRIMO writing marathon.

Those excuses aside, this first draft is a perfect example of being so pleased with myself for solving a plot problem only to come along later and find a hole left elsewhere.

On another note: I shared two draft novels with friends. One they had seen in an earlier version, and one they’ve never seen before. I find this more nerve-racking than handing over my work to a stranger (agent/editor at a conference). Your friends are your biggest fans. So — what if THEY don’t like what you’ve written? 😣