Mumsnet Talk

As subject says: Who wants to join me in starting to write a novel in 2013?

I thought we could push each other on to get it finished Similar to a losing weight thread, except it would be for gaining words

I only have 500 odd words at the moment I have no idea how I'll make it to 80,000?!?

I would!
I haven't written anything, have only got a synopsis and some research.
Am now stuck on how to even start (although I know that I just need to do it!) so the pushing would be good.
We could try to set ourselves a target of a certain number of words a month or something?

bartonian - I started mine by making a brainstorm on paper, then writing about each point I made on the page, then editing the writing afterwards so it made sense and flowed nicely

I like the targets, maybe we should have a "weekly weigh in" :P

How is 1500 words a week?

By the end of the year we should have approximately 83,200 words

Can I join? I have nothing yet but would very much lime to have a go.

Can I be lurking at the back of the thread please? I don't know yet if I am capable of this or if I could manage it in 2013 but I have always had a vague desire to try..

Yes. Please. I must do it this year! I have ideas, I have scraps of stuff written down, I did a fantastic writing course this year....must follow it all up properly in 2013.

I am IN.

1500 words a week sounds like a reasonable amount (she says, trying not to sound scared!)

I've got a book out of the library called "A Novel in a Year" by Louise Doughty - it is based on a weekly column she had in the Guardian I think. She sets exercises to make you start writing or think about things in a different way - I could post some if anyone thought it would be useful?

bartonian Those exercises sound great

So each weekend you should post an exercise for us all to do, and each Friday we should have our weekly weigh in

So far we have:
- milk
- bartonian
- TheGreatGatsby
- SnowProbs

and UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea lurking in the back

To be honest I don't think I will be able to write a whole novel, but I shall give it a go (try and retry a few times) and make some lovely friends along the way

What I hope to achieve:

Date
21/12/2012- 1500 words
28/12/2012- 3000 words
04/01/2013- 4500 words
11/01/2013- 6000 words
18/01/2013- 7500 words
25/01/2013- 9000 words
01/02/2013- 10500 words
08/02/2013- 12000 words
15/02/2013- 13500 words
22/02/2013- 15000 words
01/03/2013- 16500 words
08/03/2013- 18000 words
15/03/2013- 19500 words
22/03/2013- 21000 words

Although due to Christmas, I think we should only start this properly on the 4th January, but feel free to write in the mean time

Can I lurk at the back with Shagging? <Lacking in willpower and ability time.>

mothermirth you could always join in with the weekly activity

milk I love your planning!
I am definitely in but realistically will not manage to do anything until after Christmas.
Shall I post first exercise tomorrow or wait until the New Year?

And like SnowProbs I went on a writing course this year and the thing that was stressed over and over again was that "writers" are not any different from the rest of us, we just have to write to be one - so no reason why everyone here shouldn't write a novel!

Good plan.

Can you all kick my ass threaten to bump me off the thread if I fail?
<See, there I go, talking about failure before I've started…>

THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY (I shall be back on 4th January to find out how you have all gotten on)

Create a brainstorm on a piece of paper. In the middle should be the theme of the story, followed by words associated with that theme coming out of it.

From there you should be able to get enough inspiration to start imagining a story in your head

bartonian perhaps you could post it, but give me us a longer deadline than usual?

You could stick your brainstorm to the fridge, or keep it in the loo, and add bits to it when you are free

Our first serious activity will be in the New Year and will be posted by bartonian

mothermirth - that would also be good

Oo great stuff, thank you

Me!!! On maternity leave so it is my one chance. It will be a slim volume (10-20,000 words) and I will start planning it over the next week while on sofa with telly in background and chocolates on hand.

Can I join please. I have an idea, but I have written nothing. Not a single word. I need a virtual kick up the backside to make me sit down and write.

<After Christmas that is>

Do you write only on the computer or in a fancy notebook?

So far we have:
- milk
- bartonian
- TheGreatGatsby
- SnowProbs
- UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea
- mothermirth
- Meringue33
- RyleDup

Ok, I will post first exercise tomorrow but we have until 4 Jan to do it - that long enough?

I've realised that I prefer writing by hand, which surprised me as I do like using the computer for most things!