Imran Siddiq's Blog, page 11

Did I accomplish #NaNoWriMo ? — #Writing #Write

 

Did I meet the 50k target for #NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writing Month in November 2015?

Yes. And yes. Like a big blinking thunder-rapping yes!

I did more than just the 50k.

I knocked out 68k. Let me be totally frank with you – I haven’t written that many words in a 30 day period before – ever. Are the words all good: probably not. Are there lots of grammatical innuendos that’ll blow any literature-sane person’s brain to fizzledom: you betcha. Is the novel complete without gaps: no.

That’s not the point.

The point is simple. I wrote 68k of what eventually became a 82k first draft of Novel 11.

I’m now ready to redraft.

No matter how rubbish words are, I am 3-4 months ahead of the time I thought it’d take me to write N11.

For that, I thank #NaNoWriMo.

Day 7 #NaNoWriMo #Writing

 

I am on fire.

Not literally. No need to call out the fire brigade or check my pockets for fireworks.

NaNoWriMo has reinvigorated me back to how I was writing 2 years ago. For the first time since September 2013, I wrote >10k words in a week. I have a day job, I have worked 56 hours in the last 5 days, and I have other things on the go outside of work – but I carved out precious time to write.

The thrill, the buzz and the encouragement of NaNo helped me to pump out 16,309 words after the first 7 days. I am 32% complete of the 50k NaNo target, and 22% complete of my target for my first draft of Novel 11.

All is well. (On the writing side).

Day 3 Progress #NaNoWriMo #Writing

 

Progress after Day 3 of #NaNoWriMo

And how I’m doing with Novel 11.

#NaNo is definitely not everyone’s cup of tea (or toast) – but the number of people participating with words is extraordinary. It makes me smile.

There are many ways to reach the 50k target.
Do what you can. The effort and passion will make you stronger.

#WRITE

Many ways to reach 50k #NaNoWriMo #Writing

 

Many ways to hit the 50k #NaNoWriMo Target.

And it doesn’t matter if you don’t.

#Write

1st Day of #NaNoWriMo #Writing

 

It has begun – or it has become more target driven if you write all the time.

Either way – National Novel Writing Month is a celebration of thousands across the world writing.

Day 1 has been fantastic. 1782 words done. Not the 2k I was aiming for, but the chapter is fine as it is.

Embrace the #NaNoWriMo

Bring on tomorrow.

 

 

Are you #NaNoWriMo – ing? #Writing

 

I’m all about #writing – and I have zesty passion to pass around to get more words in.

“Never miss more than a day of writing” – once said to me, and I stick to it like bums on seats. However, some because of life and many zillions of other things can struggle to keep committed. Heck – there’s nothing wrong with the stop start method of writing, except that it might impact on your drive to reach the blinking end!

If you are one of those – there is help. It’s called … National Novel Writing Month – #NaNoWriMo (although it’s more like International NoWriMo now).

It is simple. You can create an account at  http://nanowrimo.org  or not – because it won’t slice off your fingertips either way. The mission is to write 50,000 words in November. Divided up that’s 1612 and part of a word per day.

How you do it is your plan of action. You don’t have to just aim for 50k – go higher if you can, and if you do miss out on the 50k by the end of November, then look back and be proud of the words you did put down. It all counts in the end. NaNoWriMo doesn’t have to be about a new first draft. It can be a redraft, an edit, a tweak of an edit. Finetuning words and pages are as good as writing for me. Do it. Do it. Do!

Tips on Plotting are here.

Methods (or pick your own):

1612 words every day
806 words in the morning, and 806 words in the evening
1000 words per weekday and then 3750 words per day (per weekend)

I’ll aim for 2k per day for Novel 11 – because during Nov I’ll hit a 8 day period of tweaking Novel 10 for agent submissions).

Don’t try to be perfect. Get those words down. Think more when you redraft. JUST WRITE!

 

I design Ebook Covers #writing

I do design Ebook and Paperback covers. I do.

I’m no Fortress of Frenzy Artisic Brilliance – but I’m a dab hand at silhouette art.

 

Prices are:

£50 for Ebook, £75 Wraparound (and Ebook).

 

Contact:

Flickimp@GMAIL.com

 

 

 

Novel 10 To Go #writing

 

2015 has been a hard slog with Novel 10.

On top of building pressure at work and in my life with various ventures – I’ve been burning my fingers on the keyboard with this novel.

The subject matter means a lot to me. I owe this YA Sci Fi tale justice.

Finally after redrafting it twice and editing it 4 times – I’ve handed it over for a good look.

Once back in my grasp, I’ll tweak it again – and then off to agents. I believe. I feel good.

Overall, the writing session has been rocky since the concept arose in Oct 2014.

Nov 14 to Mar 15 – 1st draft – 86k

Redraft and edits have seen the word count change from 84k to 76k to 70k to 75k to 69k and eventually 72k.

Unless I get told it’s balls – I’m happy.

 

 

It Will Happen #Write #Writing

 

Adding pressure to my workload can go two ways; either I self-combust (highly likely due to my erratic behaviour) or I hurtle towards a massive goal.

I’m hoping for the latter because the combust part sounds painful.

Still feeling ‘awesome’ since the Festival of Writing, and finding greater belief in my current WIP, I want more than ever to clinch a literary agent. There’s hunger in this belly. There’s might in my fist. There are fidgeting toes in my shoes.

Hey – I know that nothing is a given. So I’ll be tightening my current manuscript with extra care and attention. Tweaking has been a pleasure as there’s little to change in the plot. Just got to make sure the narrative doesn’t fall beyond the protagonist’s 16-year-old voice.

(Best tip is to read aloud).

Below is my road-map, subject to change/alteration, or acts of force that cripple the world or an alien invasion. All possibilities must be considered.

Plan A is what happens if there’s no success with the Agents.

Plan B is unpredictable – but my preferred option. Once I get an agent, I’ll be singing from a new rule book, and my destiny becomes unscripted.

Plan C is me exploring Open Submissions with Publishers.

November is a big month. I’ll be ready for it.

Of course, submitting with Christmas not far off might mean that my manuscript gets overlooked, but I’m hoping that my relationship with agents and the ‘oh it’s him again’ helps them to consider me.

However – as always – it all depends on the manuscript. No good plot, words, character, prose, and more are key.

I’m aiming high.

 

Festival of Writing #FoW15 Review

And then it was over.

The Festival of Writing 2015 ended on Sunday, and like the past four Festivals, I had a burning desire to write more. In a nutshell, that is the one effect everyone should have at the end. To write more.

Because the Festival – organised by the amazing Writers Workshop – is there to keep the passion burning. There’ll be some that met agents, book doctors, editors, or other writers, and didn’t get the rewards or pleasures they hoped for. Sometimes reality can be harsh. Sometimes our doubts are made true. But I guarantee you that the workshops and talks and networking and coffees and cakes and ducks and words flying around the air would have given those the confidence to write more.

Or is it just me that feels this way?

I want to write more.

Not in a rushed way. Not in a gung-ho-I-don’t-care way.

No.

I want to write in a focussed way.

There were many agents requesting submissions from writers. The vibe around the place was electric. Smiles were wide. Hands were warm. Spirits were explosive. You couldn’t imagine a better place to be as a writer. You’re not judged (unless you drank too much), and you’re not made to feel out of place.

Attendees come from all walks of life, and that’s why the Festival rocked.

Feedback from my 1-2-1 agents was brilliant. For the first time I had little advice given, meaning I’m on the right path. As long as I sharpen my sentences, and keep the voice of my characters rooted to the protagonist’s voice, then I’m fine. I know what to do. I know how to correct. I know how to resolve.

That’s my plan for the next two weeks. Slowly, I will make Novel 10 amazing.

And in case someone wants specifics; the festival had tons of agents, editors, and publishers with their hair down. Workshops covering dialogue, editing, plotting, show not tell, genres, and more. Food of exquisite quality. Lots of biscuits. Free tea and coffee. Vending machines. Seats. Beds. Carparking. A gala dinner.

AND for the FIRST time – a gala disco with a DJ!

Woop. Woop. Woop. Wooooooooooooooooooop.

Yes, I loved the #FoW15 – and I will be there next year.

If you want to know and experience the tweets about the event – jump onto Twitter, and look at #FoW15

Go now.

Go.