N.J. Donner's Blog, page 2
November 30, 2016
Measuring Progress
Today is the last official day of NaNoWriMo. Did you get as far as you wanted? I didn’t. But that’s not the end of the story.
Writing is a journey, and sometimes a story takes us on detours. Eighteen months ago, I thought I’d finished my first novel, so I found an editor and discovered I had finished a rough first draft. The story had more to say. I had more work to do. I’m glad I didn’t give up on the process.
Sometimes it’s hard to measure our progress as writers. We type away early in the morning or late at night, usually by ourselves. We often don’t get as many words on the page as we hoped, but that doesn’t mean our work is futile. I’ve found that sometimes my fingers need to stop typing so my mind has time to catch up with the plot, or the character, or the setting I’m trying to create. I must allow myself time to think.
We need others to help us see our progress. I have an editor/writing coach who helps me notice and celebrate milestones along the way. My wife is also a great cheerleader. Find your people—those who will encourage you, challenge you, and remind you that progress isn’t always measured in word count.
Celebrate your progress during NaNoWriMo. Share it with me and others in the comments below so we can cheer you on.
Writing is a journey, and sometimes a story takes us on detours. Eighteen months ago, I thought I’d finished my first novel, so I found an editor and discovered I had finished a rough first draft. The story had more to say. I had more work to do. I’m glad I didn’t give up on the process.
Sometimes it’s hard to measure our progress as writers. We type away early in the morning or late at night, usually by ourselves. We often don’t get as many words on the page as we hoped, but that doesn’t mean our work is futile. I’ve found that sometimes my fingers need to stop typing so my mind has time to catch up with the plot, or the character, or the setting I’m trying to create. I must allow myself time to think.
We need others to help us see our progress. I have an editor/writing coach who helps me notice and celebrate milestones along the way. My wife is also a great cheerleader. Find your people—those who will encourage you, challenge you, and remind you that progress isn’t always measured in word count.
Celebrate your progress during NaNoWriMo. Share it with me and others in the comments below so we can cheer you on.
November 16, 2016
The "Write" Environment!
As I mentioned in my last blog, writing isn’t my full-time job. My writing time must fit around running a company and keeping up with my wife, kids, and pets.
I’ve found I’m most productive when I write in the proper environment. For me that means some place free of distractions. In other words, I need a space where I don’t look around and see a million other things that need my attention. I’m in the process of creating an office space at home where I can get away to write. I really enjoy an organized space, free of clutter or other paperwork.
I often write at a local coffee shop. I try to find a table in the back away from the bustle and activity of the counter and front door. I wear ear buds and listen to music so I won’t start writing stories based on the conversation at the next table, though that would be fascinating. I think I could write a book using only what is overheard in the coffee shop. I listen to different types of music depending on my mood. It might be anything from classical to mellow or meditative, but it has to be instrumental only. Lyrics distract me.
Wherever and whenever you write, create an environment that fosters creativity. Hang in there! We’re halfway through NaNoWriMo. I’m through chapter 15 of the sequel to The Blue Moon Narthex. (Pre-Order TBMN here on Amazon!) Tell me about your favorite place to write in the comments below!
I’ve found I’m most productive when I write in the proper environment. For me that means some place free of distractions. In other words, I need a space where I don’t look around and see a million other things that need my attention. I’m in the process of creating an office space at home where I can get away to write. I really enjoy an organized space, free of clutter or other paperwork.
I often write at a local coffee shop. I try to find a table in the back away from the bustle and activity of the counter and front door. I wear ear buds and listen to music so I won’t start writing stories based on the conversation at the next table, though that would be fascinating. I think I could write a book using only what is overheard in the coffee shop. I listen to different types of music depending on my mood. It might be anything from classical to mellow or meditative, but it has to be instrumental only. Lyrics distract me.
Wherever and whenever you write, create an environment that fosters creativity. Hang in there! We’re halfway through NaNoWriMo. I’m through chapter 15 of the sequel to The Blue Moon Narthex. (Pre-Order TBMN here on Amazon!) Tell me about your favorite place to write in the comments below!
November 2, 2016
It's NaNoWriMo!
Writing isn’t my full-time job…yet. I run a steel company and have a busy family to keep up with. Plus, we just adopted a high-energy puppy from the Nebraska Humane Society, a new sibling to our large German Shepherd and grumpy cat.
Life just doesn’t make it convenient for me, or many others, to write. I’m under deadlines and the stink eye of my writing coach to be making progress on my second novel. Thank goodness NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is here and I’ll have company on this journey.
So, this month, I’ll be shutting off my smart phone and squeezing in hours to write early in the mornings, late at night, and whenever I can sneak away from the office. I’ll be trying to crank out 75,000 words in November. Follow my NaNoWriMo journey here and on my social media feeds. I’ll be posting my progress, my road blocks, and some fun pictures of when and where I write. You can find me on Instagram, Twitter, & Facebook!
My first milestone is to reach 20,000 words before the election. (I need something to distract me from politics!) Then I’ll set my next milestone.
Who’s with me? Who’s writing this month? Share your NaNoWriMo story in the comments below. Let’s stick together and get this done!
Life just doesn’t make it convenient for me, or many others, to write. I’m under deadlines and the stink eye of my writing coach to be making progress on my second novel. Thank goodness NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) is here and I’ll have company on this journey.
So, this month, I’ll be shutting off my smart phone and squeezing in hours to write early in the mornings, late at night, and whenever I can sneak away from the office. I’ll be trying to crank out 75,000 words in November. Follow my NaNoWriMo journey here and on my social media feeds. I’ll be posting my progress, my road blocks, and some fun pictures of when and where I write. You can find me on Instagram, Twitter, & Facebook!
My first milestone is to reach 20,000 words before the election. (I need something to distract me from politics!) Then I’ll set my next milestone.
Who’s with me? Who’s writing this month? Share your NaNoWriMo story in the comments below. Let’s stick together and get this done!
October 19, 2016
Meet N.J. Donner
Hi, Goodreads! I’m excited to meet all of you who love reading—particularly about evil forces trying to take control of the earth and the secret societies working behind the scenes to thwart them.
My name is Nick. I go by N. J. when I’m writing. (I’ll let you guess what the J stands for.) My first book, The Blue Moon Narthex, debuts on February 7, 2017. I can hardly wait to share this story with you. Before I tell you more about the book (and I will in upcoming blogs), let me tell you a little about me and my writing adventure.
I’ve always had an active imagination. I love to build things and figure out how things work. I am probably what you can call a perpetual day dreamer, and have always tried to put all those thoughts bouncing around in my head to good use.
In college, I was in a band, traveled, studied business and international affairs, and worked part time as a welder. I turned that part-time job into a steel company.
Even while building a business and having a busy family life with my amazing wife, Amanda, and our three kids, I continued dreaming up ideas and building worlds in my head. What if… is the constant refrain that runs through my mind. A few years ago, on a long plane trip, I started to write down that world and those characters, and to form the adventures they could have.
The result is the Karmanic Sovereign Legion series. The first installment, The Blue Moon Narthex, is available for pre-order now on Amazon! While we’re waiting for the launch date, we’ll have lots of giveaways here on Goodreads.
Thanks for connecting on Goodreads. I’ll be writing every few weeks.
My name is Nick. I go by N. J. when I’m writing. (I’ll let you guess what the J stands for.) My first book, The Blue Moon Narthex, debuts on February 7, 2017. I can hardly wait to share this story with you. Before I tell you more about the book (and I will in upcoming blogs), let me tell you a little about me and my writing adventure.
I’ve always had an active imagination. I love to build things and figure out how things work. I am probably what you can call a perpetual day dreamer, and have always tried to put all those thoughts bouncing around in my head to good use.
In college, I was in a band, traveled, studied business and international affairs, and worked part time as a welder. I turned that part-time job into a steel company.
Even while building a business and having a busy family life with my amazing wife, Amanda, and our three kids, I continued dreaming up ideas and building worlds in my head. What if… is the constant refrain that runs through my mind. A few years ago, on a long plane trip, I started to write down that world and those characters, and to form the adventures they could have.
The result is the Karmanic Sovereign Legion series. The first installment, The Blue Moon Narthex, is available for pre-order now on Amazon! While we’re waiting for the launch date, we’ll have lots of giveaways here on Goodreads.
Thanks for connecting on Goodreads. I’ll be writing every few weeks.
