nanowrimo

When You Want to Speak Up, But Don’t

~ Rose Sparrowking

Sunday was hard.

I’ve been part of a writing community that explores the use of A.I. in the writing world. It intrigued me, even though I was hesitant. I’ve been burned before—forums that start with friendly chatter and end in weird, predatory energy. The last time I tried to connect on NaNoWriMo’s boards, a seemingly normal writing chat took a dark turn. I left quietly. Not long after, the forums were shut down.

So this time, I stepped in slowly. The community was mostly men, at least judging by the usernames, but there were women, too—engaged, thoughtful ones. I thought, Maybe this space will be different. Maybe it’ll be safe.

And maybe it is. I don’t know. Because I left.

Here’s what happened: I got the community’s weekly roundup email. The top post of the week caught my eye, so I clicked through.

It was a full copy-paste of a Story Grid article by Tim Grahl. No link. No commentary. Just: “Here’s a good post I saved for the community.”

My stomach dropped.

For those unfamiliar, Story Grid is a respected resource. It’s also a business. Yes, they offer free content, but they also sell courses and books. Copying an article wholesale, without a link or permission, doesn’t just violate copyright—it erodes trust in the writing ecosystem.

We’re writers. We live and die by the integrity of our words. We should be the first to recognize when someone else’s work is being mishandled.

I waited. Maybe someone would say something. A moderator, perhaps.

No one did.

And neither did I.

I hovered over the report button. But the dropdown options didn’t really apply. I considered leaving a comment but felt a familiar sense of dread: What if I speak up and become a target?

I chickened out. Or I protected myself. It depends on how you look at it.

Here’s why I didn’t speak up:

  1. I’ve seen what happens to women who confront unethical behavior online. I’ve lived it. And I didn’t have the energy to fight that battle.
  2. The reporting system didn’t support what I needed to say.
  3. I doubted myself. Am I overreacting?
  4. I hate confrontation. My cousin thinks arguing is fun. I find it anxiety-inducing. I’ve learned to disengage to protect my peace.
  5. I wasn’t sure it would make a difference. Would I change minds? Or just make myself miserable?

After a long walk and a lot of reflection, I left the community.

I’m still not sure I made the right call. I feel sad. I wanted that space to be a place I could learn, connect, and grow. But I couldn’t stay quiet and also feel okay staying. And I wasn’t ready to make noise.

Maybe next time, I’ll be braver. Maybe next time, I’ll speak up.

But for now, I’m letting myself mourn a little. And that’s okay, too.

Writing News: NaNoWriMo update, Getting Organized and 2 Free Seminars

~ Rose Sparrowking ~ 1 Comment

Disclosure: The links provided in this post are for informational purposes only. I am not affiliated with any of the products or services mentioned, nor do I receive any compensation for sharing these resources. My goal is simply to provide you with valuable information to explore at your discretion. (This paragraph was produced in conjunction with Claude.AI. All other paragraphs were written strictly by myself.)

NaNoWriMo 2024

TLDR: I’m not officially doing NaNo this year.

I really miss the old NaNoWriMo, specifically the community that came together for the month of November in the forums. I miss the forums! That’s really why I dropped out last year beyond the fact that my local community never got together in person. And the NaNo organization basically imploded, there’s that.

I’ve been looking for a new writing community. I tried to start one locally at my library but I’d get one person at a time and I’d spend the entire two hours talking to them so it wouldn’t be awkward. But it was and I didn’t get much writing done. I’ve looked for an established local group but haven’t found anything so far.

I’d be willing to join a writing Discord but I’m not very good with Discord yet and I haven’t found a group that I’m interested in. Any suggestions are appreciated!

But I do want to do a November challenge, like NaNo, so I’ll be doing it on my own. 50,000 words on my romance novel, which won’t finish the novel but should be close.

My goal is to finish the novel by the end of the year. Just finish. It doesn’t have to be fabulous, earthshattering. Just done.

I am using this word count tracker. I may put up a widget with my word count.

Wish me luck!

Organizing a Novel

Holy shit, I’ve got so much stuff for this romance novel. Word docs, Scrivener files, text files, stuff on Novelcrafter, some AI generated ideas on Claude and ChatGPT. Many, many versions of the opening scene. Cover images. Character images. SO. MUCH. SHIT.

It’s all got to come together, in one place. I’ve owned Scrivener for years so I tried stuffing it all in there. I know so many writers love Scrivener but I find it overwhelming. It’s just too much. I had the same issue with Novelcrafter. So many bells and whistles. Too, too much.

I like Microsoft Word. Maybe it’s because I’ve used it for a long time and am familiar with it. (I always shop at the same grocery store, despite being close to several. I know where everything is in my store!) I know where everything is in Word. I know it’s a quick Google search if I need help with something. Word just works for me and I’m committed to making my life easier where I can.

But it is not good at organizing all the stuff you need to write a novel.

This week has been about collecting all the info from all the different places its stored. On my computer, in Scrivener, Novelcrafter and AI sites. I hope I’ve remembered them all! I’ve set up a simple file system: the overall folder for the project containing an IDEAS doc, a CHARACTER folder, a MASTER doc, a RESEARCH doc, an IMAGES folder, a PLOT IDEAS doc. That’s all in no particular order.

The PLOT IDEAS doc has scenes I’ve written out, multitudes of the same scene, group together by setting and time of occurrence in the story.

The IDEAS doc… I should change it’s name probably, but it has any notes or free-writes or middle-of-the-night epiphanies that I’ve jotted down.

I will be adding a word count spreadsheet and, perhaps, a scene spreadsheet that details each scene I’ve written. I think the rest is self explanatory.

I plan to write each scene in a separate doc and compile the story in the end into the MASTER. Or maybe Scrivener at that point or Atticus. I know Word has trouble handling large documents. I don’t know at once size it craps out at, so research needed.

My daughter has also played with Fictionary, so that’s worth a look.

I’m exploring like it’s the Wild West so who knows if I’ll strike gold, but I’ll keep you updated.

Unlocking Creativity & Productivity (All While Keeping Your True Voice) with Joseph Michael

October 17, 2024. This may be the same AI seminar I’ve already done but AI isn’t going away and I’m always looking to gain more knowledge of it. Free but upselling will occur, and that’s fair. I can say no easy enough.

Escape the Plot Forest 2024 from Daniel David Wallace

October 19-23, 2024. “Improve your plotting and storytelling techniques inside this supportive writing community.” I find myself getting stuck plotting out novels. The romance story I’m working on is hung up because I don’t really knows what happens after the meet-cute. I’m hoping for some sparks during this summit. Again, it’s free for a short time and then you have to pay to keep all the sessions. I tend to review each session quickly for golden nuggets so the time limit doesn’t worry me. I do like that there’s a Discord group. I wonder if it will continue after the summit is over.

Happy November 1st

~ Rose Sparrowking

Happy First Day of NaNoWriMo! Woo hoo!

First, if you’re going to do timed sprints, you should actually start the timer. Hahaha! I was writing and writing and waiting for the timer to go off so I could get up and stretch and use the bathroom but it never happened. I finally tabbed over to see how much time was left, and, yup, never started it.

I got a good start on my word count!

I’m using this word count tracker: NaNoWriMo Wordcount Worksheet (https://justinmclachlan.gumroad.com/l/nanowrimotracker)

Since my husband works from home (and is teaching a seminar today), I’ve got my noise-cancelling headphones on with the Piano Guys playing. I find lyrics distracting when I’m writing. Also, I just like the Piano Guys!

I’ve got two goals for November:

  1. Write daily
  2. Walk daily

I’ve got a lot going on this month, NaNo, Thanksgiving, a charity event, cleaning to prep for Thanksgiving but I’m most concerned about my health. I was sick in September and then had COVID in October. I haven’t exercised at all in two months, except for walking in Florence on our recent trip. So I’m getting myself back in the habit of moving, starting slowly with a daily walk. By the new year, I’ll be ready to ramp it up, provided I stay healthy. Fingers-crossed.

Daily walk:  20 minutes at a local park

Writing: Word count today: 1717

It Only Takes One

~ Rose Sparrowking

Someone posted this image to Facebook today:

Ugh! How do you let something go? This one asshole is ruining my day… because I’m letting them.

It’s the first time I’ve had to block someone on the NaNo forums. I imagine that it’s some 13 year boy pranking people online. It was that infantile and obvious. I get a chat message and I’m suspicious because I don’t know this person and there’s nothing in their profile. I ask what they’re doing for NaNo and they reply they didn’t know and were really there to connect to people. A red flag, but nothing in the conversation is crossing a line. They keep complaining about being tired and I keep sidestepping the issue until finally I ask, because I know that’s what they want. And, yes, their genitals are the reason they are so tired.

Double ugh! Boys! Whatever the age! This is why I’m writing about a female only society for NaNo and the disruption of men when they arrive.

And FFS, I know it’s not all men!

So, the situation has been on my mind all day and I wish I could go into my head and erase the entire thing.

I need to learn some techniques in how to let things go!

NaNoWriMo 2023

~ Rose Sparrowking

Yesterday I began work on my prep for my novel for NaNoWriMo 2023. (What’s that? Short answer: join people around the world to write 50,000 words in November.)

I signed up online and started freewriting ideas on my protagonist, the antagonist, the setting and the conflict. Plot points emerged organically as I worked.

I’m planning this work as the background for my protag for the novel I’ve been kicking around for years. I find I write so much background so I can understand my character(s) that I figure why not write a novella of it. This may backfire on me as I’ll be thinking of background for the background story but experimentation is all good. And by background, I want to understand what my character wants, needs and what false belief is keeping them from getting what they need.

Theme is starting to tickle the back of my mind. And names. And setting. This is the fun part!

I’ve got a basic title: Rowan’s Story. It may change.

But if it doesn’t, that’s okay too. The point for me is to write the story and to finish writing the story.

I used an AI generator to create an image (Stable Diffusion) for my cover. I’m not sure how I feel about that. I’m not talented or experienced enough to create something like the image myself. I don’t want to spend money for someone to create a cover for me because it’s not a book I’m looking to publish. But I do want to support creative people. I’ll have to keep wrestling with this. I will note somewhere that I generated the cover with the help of an AI generator.

Here’s the book cover I made up:

I’m looking forward to more freewriting today. I think I’ll be focusing on the antagonist. A specific person? Society at large? Plus I’ve already run into a conundrum in the plot to puzzle out. Fun times!

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo? Let me know!

Brain Dump for NaNoWriMo 2021

~ Rose Sparrowking ~ 1 Comment

This post is a bit of a brain dump for me, collating all the NaNo prep advice I’ve bookmarked.

  1. Decide how much time daily I will spend on the NaNo forums! Yikes! I’ve already been wasting too much time on the forums and they’re not even really active yet. I’ve put out feelers for buddies–but no one has responded. Is it too early? Or was I too brash? Do I want to start my own group?
  2. PLOT. Pants or plan? Definitely plan. So, a basic outline. Snowflake? Save the cat? Story grid?
  3. Research. What do I need to research for my story? Add visuals to pinterest
  4. CHARACTER Character bible.
  5. Tools. Bluetooth keyboard for my laptop. Keyboard tray for the old desk. Dedicated notebook. Good pen. Soundtrack? Noise cancelling headphones.
  6. The rest of my life: Schedule writing time. Plan menus and use pickup for grocery shopping. Make ahead meals. Clean house in October so that November only needs a touch up.
  7. CALENDAR Schedule writing. Plan word counts. Plan days off. Thanksgiving for sure. Chapter goals or plot point goals? What can I give up to free up writing time?
  8. Don’t edit
  9. SETTING Sketch out setting for novel. Planet. Spaceship. Cave.
  10. THEME What is the theme of the story?
  11. Physical prep. Get signed up on NaNoWriMo.org. Set up a folder on computer. Have pen/notebook on desk. Lamp. Headphones charged. Maybe get out of house and write other places, library? Inspirational quotes? Calendar on wall?
  12. Write what’s exciting to me!
  13. Pick POV and tense.
  14. Word tracking system. I’m using this one from Justin McLachlan
  15. Keep working out! Go for walks. Rest and recharge.
  16. Figure out my why.
  17. Make a commitment to enjoy the journey and to see it through
  18. Create a ritual to signal that writing is now happening.
  19. I will feel I’ve won NaNoWriMo if…

NaNoWriMo 2021

~ Rose Sparrowking ~ 2 Comments

I can even tell you how many years I’ve attempted NaNoWriMo and failed to hit 50,000 words. Well, not this year. 50,000 or bust!

Starting my prep already and I am trying to recruit buddies and be present in the forums. But not too present as forums really eat up writing time.

I recently started working at my local library and my immediate supervisor has attempted NaNo in the past. Hoping we can cheer each other on this year!

Here are some of my prep links:

NaNo Prep 101. Prep help from the NaNoWriMo site.

NY Book Editors nano prep. A guide for first timers, with great info

Abbie Emmons on Youtube. Love Abbie. Such good writing advice!

How to Prep for NaNoWriMo in 7 Days. Medium article. Get ready in a week.

The Ultimate Guide to Planning for NaNoWriMo. Very thorough. Lots of questions to get you thinking.

NaNoWriMo Prep Checklist to Help You Slay That 50k. I really want to slay my 50K this year! She brings up things I haven’t seen everywhere else, like self care and creating a cover for you book.

How I Prepare for NaNoWriMo (including Preptober Checklist)

How to Prepare for NaNoWriMo: Your 4-Week Success Plan

Want to Win NaNoWriMo? The Secret Is Preparation. Jane Friedman always has such great writing advice.

I am RoseSparrowking on NaNoWriMo. Let’s be buddies and crush 50K this November!

Camp NaNoWriMo

~ Rose Sparrowking

Although I knew it was happening months ago, I didn’t decide to do Camp NaNoWriMo until yesterday. The format is different from the regular NaNoWriMo. You declare your own goal, words or time, which is great because I haven’t managed to write 50,000 words in a month for more than 10 years. You’re in a “cabin”, making it easier to connect with other writers. (You don’t have to do the cabin.) There are so many people during the regular NaNoWriMo, it felt overwhelming to me. I barely participate in the forums then. I guess choosing a few boards to focus on would be a good strategy in the future.

I chose to write 100 words a day or 3,000 words total for April. I’m trying to take James Clear’s advice to start very small and to link to an existing habit in order to create a new habit. I’m pretty good about walking first thing in the morning, so I want to create the habit of writing when I come back from my walk.

I still need to tweak the routine. After my walk today, I made breakfast, then checked on my Facebook, Instagram, blogs I’m following, took a shower… Yeah, not what I had in mind. Tomorrow I will bring my laptop down to the kitchen table and have it ready to go when I come back in from my walk. I should disable the wifi too. Get my words out then onto the rest of my day.

30 Day Writing Challenge: 1 of 30