So, I’m about 13 days into NaNoWriMo, and still working on my new book. I’m not really writing as fast as I’d like — not even averaging 1000 words a day. But I *am* making progress.
It’s interesting: I felt like I’d prepared well in advance, with one exception. I didn’t get to visit the setting of the middle of the book (a local landmark) before November 1st. Because I outlined in advance, I know pretty much what I want to write in each chapter. But I’m having a lot of problem with the middle scenes, largely because I can’t picture the setting as well as I’d like. G-d willing, we’ll take care of this on Sunday by making a family visit to that location.
I’m also finding writing the “middle act” of the book challenging for other reasons. The middle act is notoriously hard to write, because it tends to sag. You need to maintain suspense, and keep tightening the screws on the main character, while slowly guiding him or her to the ultimate conclusion.
Beginnings are challenging to write, as are conclusions. But I think middles are the hardest of all.
The good news is that because I outlined, I’ve been able to write the final three chapters of the book even with a big, empty spot in the center of the manuscript. I’ll probably gets some of that middle act written within the next couples days, and then hopefully that visit on Sunday will help me pull everything together.
Another strange thing happening is that I’m so focused on writing right now that I’m having problems reading fiction right now. Reading someone else’s well-written middle act, complete with intense suspense, is kinda more than I can handle! Instead of being an escape, a couple novels stressed me out! I’m hoping to polish them off after I get over the middle act hump.
In non-NaNoWriMo news: I wrote a short story I’m hoping to workshop this week with my writing group. My husband thinks it’s very, very weird, but a friend enjoyed it very much last week, and I have high hopes. I’ve also got a couple essays I’m working on.
Rebecca Klempner 
Good luck! I wanna read your short story!
Leah
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Well, if you insist…
I’ll have to email it to you on Wednesday or Thursday. It needs some cleaning up. (I discovered a typo, for example, and I spelled a character’s name wrong in one place…)
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Good luck with the novel!
I’m having fiction published on Hevria soon (don’t know when exactly). And I’m still working on that Doctor Who book.
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Aaaaaah! I can’t wait to see your story!!!!
And keep chugging along. If the NaNoWriMo thing has taught me nothing else, it’s that just keep doing a little at a time and it all adds up.
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Thanks! I will just say, it’s not a straightforward single story, in terms of structure. But I’m saying no more for now!
Re: chugging along, I try to do about 20-30 minutes writing during my lunch break at work, because otherwise I can’t find a time when I have enough time and energy to devote to it.
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Reading fiction doesn’t bother me while I’m writing but I have heard that from other people.
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I’m glad it’s not just me. Sometimes I get a complex. 🙂 Like, am I the only weirdo who…?
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