Thursday Thirteen #49
I’m starting to feel the crunch of NaNoWriMo these days, even more so now that I’m near the end of my goal. So for this TT, I thought I’d share some of the things I’m doing to try and keep myself going until the end.
1. Obsessively update my word count spread sheet. Please tell me I’m not the only one who does this?? I have my NaNo site updated too. 
2. Kill off characters. There’s nothing more fun than killing off a character. Unless it’s point #5.
3. Check the progress of my fellow NaNo crazies. My friends who are participating are a very prolific bunch. Seeing how well they are doing is very inspiring.
4. Take a day off. I’ve quickly learned that I’m useless if I’m tired. I’m better taking the day off writing, than force myself to do it.
5. Write a sex scene. Oh yes…nothing fires me up more than writing about sex. Man that just sounds odd when I say it out loud.
6. Read writing comics. I love Inky Girl. Make sure to check out her site!
7. Blog about my progress. You guys keep me honest. Thank you!
8. Go back and read random parts. I do this not with the intention of editing, but rather as a way to keep myself going. There is something cool about reading a piece of your writing and saying, “wow, I wrote that?”
9. Listen to music. It’s like I’m activating another part of my brain when I do this. The images the music evokes usually gets me writing again.
10. Watch TV. This may seem counter productive, but I actually find this helps me with character development, especially if I’m stuck. It’s good to see how other writers handle their characters.
11. Read parts of one of my other stories. Sometimes when I get stuck with poor Taber, it helps to see him again as a secondary character. How did the other characters see him, and then switch things around to his POV.
12. Eat chocolate. Enough said.
13. Dream about December 1st. Oh I can’t wait for that day when I can sleep in and not feel guilty about it.
November 21st, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Interesting. I can’t have music on when I write because I keep stopping to listen.
November 21st, 2007 at 10:54 pm
You’ll make it, Christine. I have faith in you.
I have killed very few characters off, and felt guilty about it each time. You’ll have to teach me how to make it more fun!
Happy TT, babe! Keep those word counts coming!
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:31 am
Killing characters and writing sex are always fun!! Great job, Christine–Dec. 1st is almost here!
November 22nd, 2007 at 1:22 am
That’s quite a list, and some great ideas to get the writing juices flowing.
November 22nd, 2007 at 1:37 am
Awesome lists! And I do listen a music when I write something:) You can do it!
November 22nd, 2007 at 3:20 am
Sometimes T13 gives me way more information than I really want about what happens behind the scenes of the books I read! You writers are a bloodthirsty lot, it seems! I hate to think that the writers of the fictional deaths I am sobbing over were laughing maniacally as the typed up the characters’ demise!
November 22nd, 2007 at 4:07 am
Go, Christine!
#2 made me laugh - nothing better than bodies littering a book IMO and yeah, sex scenes. Man, I seem to have sex on the brain today after writing one big scene
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:02 am
Nothing like chocolate, sex, and a little time off to recharge your enthusiasm! Good luck with this last 8 days!
November 22nd, 2007 at 9:39 am
LOL Yes, I obsessively check my word counts. Haven’t killed off any characters (sorry Anne!) nor written a sex scene yet, but there’s still another week left to go.
Are you having a storm up there today?
November 22nd, 2007 at 11:19 am
LOL!! You’re so funny. Hmmm I miss the stress of NaNo, next year! You’re doing good, and YES Idid all those obsessive things in my NaNo.
Woohoo!! Cheers for you!
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Wow some of those covers on your blog are H - O - T!!!!!!
Keep writing and have a very Happy Thanksgiving Day.
Smiles,
Holly
http://theabundanceplace.com
November 22nd, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Last time I did NaNo I obsessively checked my word count. This time, no word count and it’s not as much fun. Except for the fact that I’m FINALLY in the big ending sequence I’ve been waiting to write.
November 22nd, 2007 at 1:59 pm
LOL YeahI ear ya on NANO, and for the first time since I strated I’m behind. **gasp**
Good Luck, sounds like your doing excellent.
Aline
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:44 pm
I wish you luck with NaNo, it does take a lot out of you..I am keeing my fingers crossed you kick butt…..
November 22nd, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Best of luck finishing up your NaNo novel — you’re doing fabulously with your word count, and I feel sure you’ll have it wrapped up soon!
I enjoyed reading your list.
November 23rd, 2007 at 3:44 am
#1…You are not the only one who does that! lol OMG I do it every time I write something. I finished NaNo, but I’m seriously needing to wrap up a short story for one of my editors by the end of next week and I’m only about a third of the way through. ugh
Hope you had a happy thanksgiving!
November 23rd, 2007 at 11:25 pm
Killing off characters has to be so delicate, though what, sex scenes had to be even more delicate, dont they