It’s Day 2 and already I’m feeling some doubt. The word count for Day 1 came out at just over 2800 (go me!), but this morning I made the fatal mistake of re-reading it. Hoo boy…. in came the Inner Critic just SCREAMING for a chance to edit.
Which is, of course, the point. NaNoWriMo – I’m told – is about quantity, not quality. It’s a way to get the Inner Critic to shut up for a while and just let the words flow, no matter how rubbish. And just as water standing in the pipes too long starts out brown and gritty, my first words on a new project can be particularly rubbish. And I KNOW this about how my process works. So why don’t I remember until after I’ve gone through this inner debate?
Never mind. Today was a blissful mix of catching up with a long-time-no-see girlfriend, and vegging out on the couch with the lovely hubby. Tonight I’m back on the horse and by this time tomorrow, I’ll have the daily average word count right back on track.
Because I’m not re-reading any more. No way, no how.
I’ve done my planning. I have my scene lists. I know what the next scene is about; and the one after that; and the one after that. If there are inconsistencies or minor plot holes, they’ll get fixed AFTER November. My Inner Critic can knock itself out then. For now, I’m sending it to its room for a nap.
Which reminds me, I forgot to introduce the cat in scene 2.
Darn. Must make a note…
