h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

You agreed to be interviewed about your NaNoWriMo experience for The Post, so I'll just sharpen my reporter's pen and fire away:


1. How did you first hear about NaNoWriMo?
2. Is this your first time attempting it? Tell me about previous attempts, or why did you go for it this time?
3. What was the hardest part? And what did you find easy?
4. How would you describe your novel?
5. Are you planning to edit it in the future?
6. Would you do NaNo again, and would you recommend it to a friend?
7. What did you learn from the experience?

You can answer here if you like, or for more privacy, email me at Linda dot Harley at gmail dot com.

Many thanks!

oh my second interview in the Post - I'll start doing a Mariah Carey soon and demanding a proper dressing room and everyfink.

How did you get on, btw?

and on to the questions:

1. How did you first hear about NaNoWriMo?

There used to be a BBC site, related to the DNA network (or i'd never have found it) called Get Writing. I guess it would have been around October 2003 that I first saw people there discussing their NaNo and if they had signed up and so on. At the time I was trying to get my act together to write a novel that I've had kicking around in my head for yonks, and mostly writing fanfic as a way of gently getting into it. And so I signed up...

2. Is this your first time attempting it? Tell me about previous
attempts, or why did you go for it this time?

3rd time. First was in 2003 and I'd done around 63,000 words by 21st November (I know the exact number because I keep an Excel sheet with targets, diagrams, how many words I have to write to catch up...) The novel I wrote wasn't the one I planned to write, but I quite like it and one day I will slap it into shape and try it on Mills & Boon, or somesuch.

2007 I had my first go at a teenage-type-novel. But November is our hot season at work, I was overworked, overstressed and it failed after a week or so at about 17,000 words. The will was there but nothing came. And I hadn't written another word since until...

2009. Gruesome #1 likes to read in German. I want her to read in English. So i got her some "bilingual" books, which are in German but feature an Irish girl who comes over on exchange. In reality there is very little English in it but it planted the seed of an idea. Now, however, she's reading the Angus, Thongs... series, teenage stuff. I thought I'd have a stab at teenage, with a bit of German thrown in.

3. What was the hardest part? And what did you find easy?

The hardest part came at about 25,000 and again at 45,000 words. I just had nothing to say. I was having a stressful time with the Gruesomes and 3 days had a word count of 0. Easy... making the Excel sheet and filling in the numbers.


4. How would you describe your novel?

Teen, probably (in teen terms) historical (set in 1982) family-drama. It's all written from the POV (but not in 1st person) of the 16 year old girl who is about to take her O-levels when 2 family dramas come at the same time. There's a lot a bout make-up, clothes and body conscious musings.

5. Are you planning to edit it in the future?

Yes. In January.

6. Would you do NaNo again, and would you recommend it to a friend?

Yes, I hope that I'll have a go next year - or maybe the year after if I really make a go of editing this one. If you like to write, but never know when to start, or what to write, or just need a reason to give it a go I would recommend it to anyone. There is also a Young NaNo with a smaller word target (but I'd have to check the details) - I think my daughter might try that sometime.

7. What did you learn from the experience?

That 1,667 words a day is doable if you can type And that, it's true. Everyone has a book in them.

Gawd do I waffle, or what? and funny how I couldn't get my brain working like that 2 nights ago!

if that's not the type of thing you'Re looking for, or if you want more, pls feel free...

Brilliant - thank you so much!

I got about a third of the way through and just ran out of time. I'd definitely do it again but be more organised with a notebook where I could write anytime, anywhere.

Oh good. Not TMI then?

A third is a good effort though. I was using my old laptop which is better for me because it means I sit with the family, even though I don't really pay attention to anything they say to me when I'm in full flow.

I'm hoping to be fully mobile with a netbook for next year's effort!

Oh and - sorry to say - I don't usually read the post, will you tip me the wink when (if) it goes in?

Sure thing! Next week's the 10th birthday special, and in 2 weeks it's the Christmas issue, so I'm aiming for the 14th December one.

A60531266

Here you go, hot off the presses!

very best wishes for all your future litarary endeavours

eek!
Infamy at last!

oh but blimey! Don't I waffle!