It’s December. National Novel Writing Month is over. I’m relieved to see it go and sad that it’s over. Isn’t that always the way during the holidays?
So, to recap, I started writing the manuscript/first draft for POSSIBLY, TEXAS on November 1st, with a 50k words goal in mind. On the 19th, I hit that goal by 102+ words. Then I took a little break to tweak other projects and to work on my bookshelf insert diorama (which is well underway and will be the subject of a later blog post).
However, I’ve written a few more words here and there on POSSIBLY since the 19th, and it looks like I ended NaNoWriMo with 65k-ish words. I’m not unhappy in the slightest.
I’m still passionate about this story, I think it’s going to be a great story for YA/Lit Fic readers, and I was actually very pleasant during November and didn’t lose my sanity. What more could I want?
While I have no idea when this book will be published, I know that one day it will be, and I’m already excited for that day to come.
Additionally, after some betas and my developmental editor read the first 50k words, a new cover was proposed by my imprint.
If I’m to be totally honest with all of you – this got my hackles up. I mean, I MADE A COVER THAT I WAS PROUD OF! WHY DIDN’T THEY THINK IT’S GOOD ENOUGH????
However, I put on my big boy pants, sucked it up, and kept an open mind. I’m glad I did. This guy right here *points down* is pretty sweet.
This is a cover that would make me pick a book up in a brick and mortar store to actually read the blurb. Or click on it online to see what it’s about. That’s what a book cover should do, right?
We have the blue/teal clapboard siding of a building in Possibly (the fictional town I created), the wooden sign visitors see when entering, it looks Americana-ish…it’s a great cover.
I can say that because I didn’t make it. HA!
Regardless, I’m proud of the story, I’m proud of the cover, things have gone well and I foresee them continuing to go well with this project.
Having filled you all in on my last week of NaNo, there are a few things I’ve learned along the way. Not just as a writer, but as a person.
I don’t know why this NaNo was different for me than the one in 2018 – maybe it’s because the subject matter is much lighter? It could be that I’ve done NaNo before and it doesn’t feel so new and urgent? Maybe my life has changed dramatically since 2018? Maybe I’m just 2 years older and I’ve removed the stick from my butt? Who knows?
When NaNo 2020 started, I decided immediately that I wouldn’t take it too seriously. I would focus on my passion and enjoyment for what I was writing, and everything else would just have to be okay. I wasn’t going to worry if I wrote just a few words everyday. I wasn’t go to get disappointed if things didn’t go according to plan. I was just going to be kind to myself.
And it worked.
I truly enjoyed the experience. I had some laughs at the ridiculousness of some situations. I let myself just be creative and go with the flow. And I found myself enjoying writing and creating like I did a decade ago when I first got serious about writing.
To be honest, when I first decided I would participate in NaNoWriMo 2020, I was concerned that I would stress myself out like I did two years ago when I participated for the first time. Luckily, that wasn’t the case.
So, I’m just going to keep taking deep breaths, take the art (but not myself) seriously, and keep on swimming.
Also, in case you weren’t aware, MAGIS AND MANIACS: AND OTHER CHRISTMAS STORIES is out today. It’s a Christmas short stories anthology released by The Lion Fish Press and features 4 stories from yours truly – “A Christmas in Pajamas,” “A Surfer’s Christmas,” “Frank,” and “The IT Guy.” Check it out! It’ll definitely get you in the mood for the holidays.
Tremendous Love & Thanks,
Chase
Chase Connor Books 