We Hit the Muddy Middle - NaNoWriMo
Day 16 – November 16, 2019.
Word count: 23,333
Pace: 26,672
Week three of NaNoWriMo. What is usually referred to as the “Muddy Middle.” Where the Imposter dwells and thrives. Where the plot and outline we so meticulously worked on (or not) gets thrown out the window/set on fire/fed to the creatures under the stairs. It is where the words are tough to come by, ideas clash, and we want to scrap it all and give up the written word forever. I’m here to tell you, you are not alone in this.
During this last week, I have thought about different plot points and ideas just about once an hour. It happens to everyone, even to well-established authors too. Check out this NaNo Pep talk by Neil Gaimon HERE. This is the stage where the honeymoon of a fresh idea and love of the art wears off and it begins to feel like an impossibility, that the story will not end and it’s going nowhere. It’s like we are dragging our plot out of the abyss like Atreyu trying to save Artax from the Swamp of Sadness (yes, I went there). What I am saying is, it is a struggle to get through this part, but we must keep our heads down, fingers on the keyboard, and slough through because on the other end is glorious victory and the fun part of ending our story.
How do we then combat this and overcome the treacherous Swamp of Sadness and keep our trusty novel with us until the end? First thing I do is recognize what it is. Next, I remember why I have started this process to begin with. I have a story that I want to tell. The Muse has selected me to tell this story. Then I realize that all I am doing is getting words on a page.
I shared this with some of my students this season. Last year, I was down on words and I just started writing, but I had no idea where the plot was going to take me. I had a destination, but no map or guide to take me there. So, I wrote. I wrote about my main character signing up for a library card. 800 words of filling out paperwork and the little old desk clerk helping my “hero” get access to the library. That’s it. But in that time, and through the words being typed, the muse introduced me to someone. Someone else showed up, another character decided to join the party. And this character ended up being my guide, the person that will show my main character the way. I had no idea who she was, but she saved my character and my novel. Now, will the great scene of Mitch and the Library Card of Destiny survive editing? Probably not. But if I get stuck, I write words, pad the word count, and get through the becalmed ocean of creativity.
Another way I have dueled with the demon of doubt is to find a writing partner or group. While writing is a very solitary practice, sometimes it’s fun to do with other people. By doing this, I am able to bounce ideas off of someone or explain my rut, and they can give unique perspectives on the plot. It also gives me an accountabili-buddy. We share in triumphs, pick each other up when the muse bails, and encourage creativity. Beware, it has the potential to backfire if both of you are in the muck. The majority of the time we stay on task and get some good words down.
Truth be told, this is the second hardest part of the NaNo process, the first being just getting started. The doubt demon is master here whispering its lies about our story, idea, and ability. It’s easy to give up right now, especially if we have fallen behind on our word count. And with the holiday coming up for our U.S. readers, it would be understandable to pack it up and say we’ll start again after the season. A quick note about that: there will always be a reason to not do something. Whether it's writing, or going to the gym, or going into the basement to find what that noise is (yes, I heard it too, and no, do not go investigate). This is a passion project, it is something we picked up because we have a story to tell, and the world needs our story. There is someone out there that is begging to read the words you have written, they really need to hear your story.
So, find the time, be it early morning, during lunch breaks, typing on your phone during your commute on public transportation, find the time. It’s there. Fight the urge to quit. Write one more sentence before bed. Finish one more scene. Sacrifice one more college kid to the masked maniac in the woods. Stay on course, feed the beast, and we’ll get there together.
As always, you can contact us at horrorboundblog@gmail.com or find me on twitter (@d_lasota). We love reading the feedback that has been coming in so feel free to send us a message. If there are specific topics you would like to see covered, give us a shout.
Until next week, keep it up, stay on target, get those words down. You can do this, I know you can. And seriously, do not investigate that noise in the basement. That never ends well.
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