I think any story would be very dull if it was just a series of lists of names and family connections and dates and places of birth, so a story based on genealogical research might be very boring! The story I am writing for the National Novel Writing in a Month challenge is about the Radwinter family in search of their roots, but the narrative has to be gripping to the reader; as well as the results of the search, there has to be some tension and expectation, suspense and surprise. There also has to be some context, so the family in search of their past has lives, and romance, and excitement, and disappointment. There should be some other themes to add a dimension to the novel, so the theme, a favourite of mine, is food; one of the characters is starting a cookery school!
The challenge of NaNo, is to write 50,000 words in the month of November, and so far all is flowing nicely, and I am keeping on target. It is probably the first time in my life that I have been able to spend all day, and as long at night as I want, to write, write write. There is only the housework to think about… and I’m not thinking about that at all!! When I have been writing stories before I have had to squish my creative time in between work and/or looking after children. It took real discipline to sit down and be creative when I was a stay-at-home mum and had spent all day with the children, cooking (for them and with them), taking them to activities, taking them out for walks and little adventures, keeping the house tidy and organised and doing all the chores… I think it was even harder when I was back at work in a challenging job with long hours, and then to come home and share in all the child/house/social life that a family has. Now I am liberated and I can get up and go straight onto the computer (as long as I have a cup of tea!) and I can work throughout the day if I want, and I can stay up as late as I like…
I’m very lucky… and the November challenge is going well for me, and I’m enjoying it!
Lois Elsden 