Thread: 3 Day Novel

Yeah, it is pretty personal. I just need push something out and finish it in a blaze of glory or a caffeine induced delusion. I don't really think that the result will be a masterpiece the first time around, but what is? But I just need to get it out without worrying about how it sounds, how stupid I worry people will think it is, just get it out. Which is my problem mostly. I typically I have the outline, and just never get past a few parts of it. I have many pieces of stories, very vivid characters in odd ball out of context scenes which I can't share unless I really want to confuse people. This is the only way I can finally construct the bones of something, and then maybe in November, I will do nanowrimo on it, excluding the word count I will do during the three days of course, and count words I write to add to the story and flesh it out, adding like subplots and such. This year I have really decided to try to improve my writing with the push of contests, even if they are really crazy ones.

Two hours till midnight! I am all packed up in this basement ready to get going! Hopefully the janitor doesn't walk in when I get really loopy.

Eleven hours into this, and I really don't miss sleep yet. Ok I admit it I do miss my bed, being able to lie horizontally. It is really nice being all alone for hours with my thoughts. I am not as far as I would like to be, I still have a filter on but I am working to turn that thing off so I can get through all of my story points in my story. I just need to accept what I put down first will be crap and eat a box of cheerios.

rah rah rah! (my pitiful attempt at cheerleading) Good on you, you're one brave writer! I'd love to do something like this when my baby is all grown up. It'd be interesting to see what I could produce in three days, good luck, keep us posted.

Alright officially in day two. No sleep yet. I feel fine. I find that my previous semester's worth of not sleeping for three days with horrific looming deadlines, that make me think I was having a heart attack (they were only panic attacks), all of that was pretty good practice and preparation. So far I have eaten one box of ceral, two backed potatoes, one sandwich and then i don't remember. Maybe a multivitamin? Probably an iron tablet. Haven't seen a living soul for a whole day. It is really. I haven't slept in two days. You might be able to tell because this post has no logical flow.

As for the writing. I am not really as far as I would like to be. I am about twenty percent through I guess. I just need to really turn out the center of the plot pretty quickly. But that part is what I am gearing up to get to so I already anticipated that my output would increase by day two so you can guess that I am on time. I am surprised at that I don't think that a majority of what I am doing currently is crap. I think it is alright. A bit over use of a few phrases but that is for the editing and not for first drafts.

I think I have run out of food. But that thought doesn't really bother me. When I run out of tea then I will get worried. I find water consumption is the best way to stay awake, that is what I read somewhere. Also playing a whole season of Reaper on Hulu really helps. That show is alot longer than I thought it would be. It is ok, but I am rambling, but I think that this ramble can be forgiven due to my current state.

Sincerely, My Legs Feel Funny

when all else fails theres always red bull

Black tea and a lot of water works the best for me. Needing to go to the bathroom all the time really keeps you awake and keeping the sound of an entire season of CW's Reaper playing continuously really helps as well. Or really good mood music.

I went to sleep for a bit. I went to my car to find flowers on my windshield. Didn't find it romantic, only creepy especially at three in the morning. Officially ran out of food so I got a friend to bring by Thai food. Turns out she has been generating unnecessary buzz about this novel. She doesn't understand the concept of having only complete strangers read my work, not half of her roommates and some family members.

I really need to push myself in the final day. Things are going as planned in the outline and none of the characters are acting up that much. One is more vocal than expected and really pushy. My near perfect heroine reveals that she talks with her mouth full and doesn't really have good table manners. I didn't want to reveal major flaws until later in the story, but I guess now will do as well. I find the semi future antagonist somewhat charming, sad, needy but ultimately sweet. I feel bad to know that I will totally screw him over later with the future turn of events. The hero is as responsible as ever trying to get his brother (semi future antagonist) to do the right thing, but he is tired and exasperated. The present antagonist is still an rear end, and I don't like the fact he doesn't truly pay for his actions in the end. Maybe he will get maimed.... sounds good.

so what kind of word count are you anticipating?
laughing so much at the flowers on the windsheild. I get super paranoid when i haven't had any sleep so I would been most likely running 'round the block, arms flailing wildly

Originally Posted by funnygirl

so what kind of word count are you anticipating?
laughing so much at the flowers on the windsheild. I get super paranoid when i haven't had any sleep so I would been most likely running 'round the block, arms flailing wildly

I am expecting a word count of about thirty thousand. I am about half way so I am going to get frantic soon. But I feel like I will be on a roll soon. (Crosses fingers!)

The flowers died. This morning I didn't find anymore flowers, which is good. I found oatmeal (yay!) but running out of soy milk (nay).

Interested to know how you're getting on.

Experience was amazing, and I am totally going to do it again. Because of it I might reserve at least one day a month to dedicate to writing completely, and I mean completely.

I'm glad you enjoyed it so much.

Good on you! As someone with a toddler, three days holed up to write sounds like bliss! Now you can catch a few ZZZZ