Seeing as how I finally became a NaNoWriMo winner last November, (National Novel Writing Month,) I’ve decided to give Camp NaNoWriMo a go in April. While NaNo’s rules are simple … write a 50,000 novel in 30 days, Camp NaNo gives you the freedom to select your own project and/or word count, whether it’s revising a novel in the genre of your choice or writing a new one. I like the notion of being able to tailor your project according to your current goals. There’s one problem, though.
I have no idea what to do.
Should I revise a manuscript? Lord knows there’s plenty on my back burner to choose from. In the past few years, I have written five drafts with possible potential and another four that are either partially completed or might not be worthy to finish. Then there’s my NaNo novel that still needs to be completed. Maybe I should just shut up, sit down, and finish something already. There’s one problem, though.
I wrote those novels back when my head wasn’t on straight. (Long story.)
Now my head is on straight again. (Longer story.)
I honestly don’t feel very driven to work on novels that were written while I was mentally in a bad place … with the exception of one mid-grade that still has my heart and soul. I’m tempted to chuck every one of those manuscripts … except the heart and soul mid-grade … and just wipe the slate clean and start fresh. I confessed this desire to a friend and fellow writer last week.
“Why don’t you?” she had asked.
“Because … I don’t know … I can’t?”
“Sure you can, it’s easy!”
Maybe she’s right. Maybe a giant do-over chuck fest (except heart and soul) would be just the thing for my giant career career reinvention. Then I could spend Camp NaNoWriMo writing something fresh, something new, something that makes me feel giddy, like heart and soul. There’s one problem, though.
I’ve mentioned my heart and soul mid-grade four times in this post.
It’s the one manuscript I can’t bear even the notion of chucking. So … maybe that means that all signs are pointing toward me rewriting this as my Camp NaNo project. Yeah. I think that’s the right choice.
Heart and soul it is.
Which means I have major re-plotting to do plus I’m tempted to challenge myself into finishing at least one of my back burner books before April 1st.
After all, giving at least one of them a fighting chance before chuck fest is only fair.
