NaNoWriMo 2k22: Weekly Update #3

Let me open with an apology. Sorry for sending two emails in the same day—particularly for that one reader, whoever you are, that said one a week was plenty. I figure maybe getting two in one day might feel more like one if I send them close together. I dunno. It’s what I’m doing, so I hope that’s all right.

No one answered my question last week, which is fine. But I still don’t know the answer, so.

As it says on the tin there, this is third update, so if you want to catch up, you can read the announcement post here; then, first summary is here, the second here.

Okay, down to the week in review and what’s going on and all that.

Plotlines

Plot-driven chapters—you know, such as there are any—up till now have been focused on the Wendy Glass murder. The chapter about Wendy’s last lover, Seth, has proven exceptionally difficult to write, and I’ve worked on it many days this week with no end in sight. It will end eventually. I’ll finish it; I just don’t know when.

I introduced a bunch of little plots (is microplotting a thing?) this week—or reintroduced them, if you’ve already read SOMA or other books: the red door on the second floor; the Men of Skin—including Constantine À gogo and Leader; the assassination addict, Desolate Farrago. I’ve kept seeding the Library. Nikki came by for a visit from wherever she’s been—Azza-Jono, presumably. You and I have continued our walks together. Oh, and I also solved the Wendy murder already, apparently, and revealed the answer like five years ago. Did you see it? If not, I cannot fault you. It’s buried deep, hidden in plain sight, in what reads like (or maybe is) a throwaway conversation between me and … me. Anyway, if you know the answer, please don’t tell anyone yet. Or do. Whatever. I don’t want to tell you how to read or play along more than is necessary to give a little structure and some guidance.

Speaking of …

Play procedures

I’ve included some semi- (pseudo-?) mechanical gaming procedures at the end of most chapters. One person has communicated with me about it, so I’m left wondering if anyone else even understands what they’re about, much less is using them. That’s fine. Writing is an isolated activity, and I’m grateful for the interactions I get while I’m laying it all out. It takes a decent amount of patience to read a finished book, let alone one that is literally being written.

Anyway, my instinct has been to contain these procedures to 3-5 per chapter that was confirmed by a reader-player, so I appreciate that. Thanks, zorrojacques!

Now, onto …

Goals

Goals

• No checking word count - Clear. I was tempted to around the 15th, the halfway mark. But I didn’t. No need, I decided.

• Minimal planning - There is so much kudzu on the board at this point, it’s hard for me to distinguish planning from arrangement. Just how it is.

• Revise as I go - Continued to proof as I go, but have only done a proper read through revision of the first five posts. Didn’t change much, which is typical at this stage.

• No meetups, no travel - No and no.

• Don’t skip days writing - Almost missed this on Friday the 18th. That was a tough day for writing, and I knew it would be on Thursday, so perhaps I set that up accidentally. Anyway, I did write some. Not a lot, and I wasn’t super happy with it, but I did it. Likewise, I wasn’t super happy with my output yesterday, but I wrote for an hour or two.

So that’s wassup with NaNoWriMo this week. Again, I really can’t thank you enough for reading and being supportive. NaNoWriMo is famously exhausting for writers, but I’m sure it’s a lot for readers, too. For those of you who haven’t been reading or playing along, that’s okay. You can start now, if you want, or you can just wish me well and move on with your life. Either way, I appreciate it.

While I’m thinking about it, what have you been up to these last few weeks? Tell me something not related to NaNoWriMo, please! Or if you’re doing it, too, let us know how it’s going for you!

Xoxo,

T

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