Monday, November 08, 2010

Camouflage or Feather Boa? OK, So I'm Writing A Thriller Now

I had another plan for a post today on what is Sexy but NaNoWriMo has taken over my day, which is good because I'm catching up. I should be at 13,336 by the end of today and at the moment I'm at 11,132 having written roughly 3000 words so far.

There is a problem though in this willy nilly head long word count rush...I find I'm writing a thriller-of sorts. No problem you say...but I don't read 'em (that's DH territory) and I'm clueless-just writing what comes along next into my head, which is pure freedom and madness. However I'm not going to stop the insanity and try and make this fit. This year's NaNoWriMo for me is about stretching the writing muscle. I'm writing in first person and I can't tell you how many times I found myself slipping back into third. Out of the separation and into the firing line so to speak.

This is all good or at least so I'm telling myself. I have also discovered I have left the comfort of the Helford River and have found myself writing in the middle of a war zone in some yet to be identified African country????


All this is good isn't it? Have you ever left your comfort zone and ventured off course? Did you continue? Was it a path to despair or enlightenment? Or finally will I look good in camouflage rather than the boa thing?

12 comments:

Sarah Duncan said...

Isn't the point of Nanowrimo that you go with the flow? And if it takes you to pastures new you embrace it? The great thing about writing is it's all fixable in the re-writes, you just need to get the first draft down. Way to go! Love the pics, BTW.

Unknown said...

The pics are great :-) I have deliberately just let it happen so far this year just to see because at this stage I'm still very free to explore which is an upside of being yet to be published :-)

lx

Kristy Philbrick said...

I decided to step away from romance this November and dive into a thriller/suspense/mystery slash whatever else I can throw into the mix. I love it so far, and I'm in love with the characters, and it feels great. So I say KEEP GOING! I know people say, write what you know.. but somewhere inside of you is a thriller! Can't wait to hear how it goes.

Nell Dixon said...

I never know quite where I'm going to end up when i start writing.

Unknown said...

Kristy - i will keep going and good luck with yours.

Nell - I'm glad I'm not alone wandering into the mist!

lx

Linda said...

Hi Liz,

Alot of the time I have a plan but end up letting my characters vere off in a tangent. Sometimes it doesn't quite work but other times you get something much better than the original idea. I think there's alot to be said for letting your subconscious take control - its like mining for gold - sometimes you find a valuable nugget.

Linda

Unknown said...

Linda - I like that mining for gold...and this nano for me is all about freedom so not caring about the end result so much as just enjoying the process...

Good luck with your nano (are you doing nano?) this year?
lx

Unknown said...

Linda - forgive me. The coffee is kicking in to counter jet lag head. Yes, you are doing nano...

Not sure if the words I'm writing this morning make sense but at least I'm writing :-)

lx

Frances Garrood said...

How on earth do you all fit in the nano with the rest of your lives? And blog as well? The whole prospect would defeat me before I'd even started (but then I hate deadlines).

Good luck with yours, Liz!

Unknown said...

Frances - i try not to think about it too much and just do it :-)

lx

Anonymous said...

Feather boas are handy if you want an energency replacement for your fanbelt...!

You're right that writers should step out of their saf zones, otherwise staying there can lead to stagnation

erdeeny said...

Great Pic. Thank you for sharing.