So, it’s October 22nd. That means there’s 10 more days until NaNoWriMo starts. How are we doing folks?
I decided to try out a couple writing softwares before I started doing NaNoWriMo. I wanted to write in something that would make it easier for me to write in chapters and most importantly in scenes. Plus, I wanted to find a software simple enough for me to place my novella in so I can rewrite everything easier.
First, I started off trying Scrivener, but that was a bit too advanced for me. I honestly had no idea what I was doing even after I spent the time following the tutorial. I felt like a complete idiot. I didn’t even finish out the free trial…
A writer friend that I met through one of the wonderful Facebook groups I’m in suggested that I try Dabble Writer. At first I was like, wait it doesn’t even export to eBook files or get your book ready for publishing!! But then I realized that it had the components I needed: chapter and scene sections. That’s all I was really looking for. I can format everything into an eBook or print layout later after exporting it back to word.
So, now I’m using Dabble Writer.
Shot of my outlined chapters on Dabble Writer
Honestly, preparing for this year’s NaNo has been stressful, but not too stressful. I’ve had the story idea pretty much planned out in my head. It’s the writing down part that got me in a bind. I feel like writing things down makes them more concrete and that’s what gets me nervous because I don’t really know if that’s how I want the story to go. It’s how I think the story should go. Does that make sense?
I keep telling myself that my outlines and scene notes are just there in case I feel stuck and forget where I’m trying to take the story. I’ll let my creative stuff go forth and populate the pages as they damn well please. It makes me wonder if I’m the only one that feels this way… or if all writers feel this way.
I’m trying to figure out how I’ll update everyone while I’m doing NaNo. I was thinking of either posting up a youtube video documenting my time or my maybe just writing a quick blog post at the end of the day and putting up my favorite lines.
I can’t wait to start actually writing!! I’m really excited about this story and I hope it comes out well enough for me to want to publish it.
Tell me what you’re working on! Add me as a writing buddy on NaNoWriMo.
Thanks for reading!
-Emi
NOTE: I’d also like to note that I don’t get paid to write about these things… I’m just writing about them because I think they’re awesome.