On day 29, my word count was 0. And I know why. I spent a couple of hours looking at agents, weighing up different blogs and trying to decide whether:
(a) it was worth getting an agent, and
(b) if there were any out there that might legitimately like my work.
That's a trap.
All agents talk about the need to have polished your manuscript, to have something to give them that is the very best you can do. How can I write with that kind of pressure? Everything I thought of writing sounded stupid, crass and trite so I just didn't write anything.
Of course, I know they're right. But I'm just not up to that phase yet. What they are really saying is "Please don't send us your first draft", and I still need to, well, FINISH a first draft.
As a sort of salve, I went and spent a bit of time on the Nano forums, where any written word that takes you towards completion of your imperfect first draft is a good one. I love everything about Nano. The sense of community, the way it makes me focus on completing one manuscript and not jump around all over the place like I so often tend to do. Mostly I love the fact that they tell me to be forgiving of myself for not being an amazing writer at the beginning of my career.
If I write it, I can edit it. If I try to write it perfectly, freak out and don't write anything at all, I have nothing.
Word count - 3,523
You'll kick ass Julz... consider me pre-ordering a copy of your first piece... or manuscript... or your first 3,523 words ;)
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