MoW (Month of Writing '24) 11/6/24

 I have been writing every day. Not updating here every day, but, yes - writing is happening. I am continuing to work on the fiction story, which might be a short story, novella, or longer. It is way too early for me to know how long it's going to be.

I suppose if I wasn't a pantser, I'd have a better idea of where I'm headed. But I am and I don't and that is fine.

No. I'm not going to post about the election except to say that it happened. If you know me, you know my feelings. 

So, back to writing. 

My total word count for this event is at 21,097 words! Hooray! Go, me! A reminder if you're reading this and are thinking, but, NaNovember didn't start until November 1st, how?? I'm doing it differently this year. If you go back to my November 1st post, there is more information. The Month of Writing event I'm doing this year is with 4 The Words (4TW) and tracking assistance (and group friendly fun) on a leaderboard at TrackBear. The 4TW event, Weathercraft Terrarium, started with a Halloween themed lead-in on October 28th, and it will conclude on December 10th. So my 21k words written so far is still a good number, but not as astronomical when it's been 9 days, not just 6 days. Also, I may as well include here that my goal this year is 70,000 words during the event. It is completely doable; last year I wrote a little over 100k. 

November writing continues to happen! 

This is the 4TW leaderboard in TrackBear on 11/6/2024. Participants are from around the globe, so our days and times vary.

MoW'24 (Month of Writing) Day 2

I'm still going with Month of Writing (MoW), even though the overall event is actually October 28 - December 12th. I am focusing on fiction for November, with CNF and composed work emails and other fictions than the November story, on the other days. If I can't get traction on a day in the long form fiction (potential Novel Shitty First Draft/Pre-Draft), then I will include other new writing, as well.

On November 2nd I wrote 2356 words. This brings my November word count so far to 4,799 words written. And my total event words are 12,411 words written since October 28th. I almost typed, "not bad." But the truth is, that IS a really decent word count for six days. I'm content with those numbers.

Today (11/2) was 50% long form fiction words and 50% CNF rough draft. I'm satisfied with my word count and the content. These are interesting times and there is much to write about.

Thank you, 4TW and TrackBear, for all you do to support writing and writers. 

November Writing Marathon

This year, my annual writing marathon looks a little different. But it's still happening. 

This year I am writing at 4TheWords and tracking my stats at TrackBear. The 4TW group has an unofficial group "leaderboard" at TrackBear, which is also fun. Of course I signed up for that, as well. They did a different type of challenge in July and it was helpful and fun. 

Writer accountability and a bit of friendly competition (even just competition with oneself!) is a good thing during a writing marathon.

This year I am going to aim for 70,000 words in this event period. With Nano, their system was 50k words in 30 days. The 4TW special event, Weathercraft Terrarium, is 40 days, so I'm adding words to my goal. Last year I wrote over 100,000 words in November alone. I don't know that I have that in me this year, but an additional ten days, I needed to add words *grin.*

My longtime writing pal and I decided to keep our tradition of the midnight kickoff when October 31 becomes November 1. We planned our snacks, got together a few hours before midnight for dinner and conversation and getting ready, then - boom - midnight and we were off. 

The 4TW event officially started on October 28th. I did writing starting that day, so my word count from October 28th is over 10k already. My word count for November 1st, which is when I started a fiction story -which could be a novel- was 2443 (see the screenshot at top right). From Nov 1 - Dec 10 I will be writing primarily fiction, but if other words are also written (they will be, I have no doubt), those will also be included in my total; but I do have separate files where I'm writing so that the content is clear. Some of what will be in my "other" writing file will include some drafts for future Substack essays.

So. November writing looks different and it is still happening, snacks and coffee and writer friendships.

Thank you to 4TW and TrackBear for helping me get my butt in the chair and words on the page. And for making it fun and all of the encouragement, special events, and camaraderie.

https://4thewords.com/writefest

Our 2024 Month Of Writing snacks included gouda cheese, jicama, grapefruit, green olives, water & coffee/tea & Chaider, Oh My Ghee popcorn, Chick-a-Boom Sweet & Salty popcorn, and assorted chocolates. And laptop charging cords, of course, which isn't a human snack but a snack needed by our electronic devices. 

snack photos by Kathryn LePage ;-)