Novel Writing

November is National Novel Writing Month! I joined up on NaNoWriMo, where you can write a novel in a month for free. That's why I haven't been blogging for a while, but I'm sorry and I'll do better in the future. Anyway, we're going to be talking about novel writing for a while.

Step one: clear away all those thoughts telling you that you're crazy to even consider this, and just listen. Listen first, pass judgment later or not at all. Preferably not at all, though.

You like to write. That's the biggest requirement here. If you like to write, why not? I am, and I have zero experience. But it's fun, it's challenging, and it's more experience. So why not? You have a craft, so nurture it. Make it something you're proud of and love to do.
Let's make it simple. Have you ever written a short story or even written anything at all? A novel's just longer. That's it. Simply put, it's a longer story.

If you think that you're crazy to even consider this, just look at our inspirational quote by John Gardner: "One must be a little crazy to write a good novel." I'm a bit crazy, I love to write, and I'm nurturing my talent, so I can write a novel. Are you crazy? Yes? Maybe a little bit? Yes! You can write a novel!

We'll tackle this more later. I'm new to blogging, so if you have any questions or tips, please post down in the comments! I'd love to hear from you. Start thinking about the possibility. Toy with it in your mind. Think about it, ponder it, however you want to put it. We are writers. We can put one thing a thousand different ways.

On-the-Go-Writing

So, have you ever been in a situation where you get, say, the perfect idea for a character and you don't have anywhere to make a note of it? Or maybe by the time you find something, you've forgotten what it was that you were going to write down. Believe me, I've been in this situation so many times that I've lost count. I've thought of a perfect name, and say, "Oh, I'll remember." Guess what? I fall asleep that night thinking, "What was that name?" Then it takes me forever to fall asleep as I rack my brains trying to remember. :) I've taken to carrying around a small three-ring binder or a notebook in my purse or at my side. Try to get yourself in the habit of taking something even if it's just one of the smaller notebooks. Trust me, you will be glad you did in the long run. If you have any other ideas that work for you, post a comment saying what it is!

On the go, I like carrying an emergency supply kit. It contains things like pens and pencils, erasers, my binder or notebook, a good book or two, some gum or something small, and a water bottle. Feel free to perfect this to your own needs. Maybe you'll want a tablet instead of a book, or put in a chocolate bar along with the gum. It's up to you. It's pretty easy to put together, so I don't keep it all in one place. I just throw it in a bag when it's time to go.

Hope that this helps all those writers, who, like me, need a supply kit for emergencies on the go.

~Leila