Well, we’re up to X in the A to Z Blogging Challenge, and this is typically one of the hardest letters to find a topic for, so I’m very grateful to XRoryX for responding to my call for Camp Nanowrimo writers to interview. And really big congrats to XRoryX (aka Sarah) for a really great Camp word count: according to her stats page it looks like she reached her 50k goal on April 16th, and she’s currently at something like 60,775! Way to go Sarah. Let’s go to the interview.
How did you find out about Camp Nanowrimo?
In 2010 I participated in my first November NaNo, it was so much fun and I loved the forums so much I couldn’t bring myself to leave. I don’t remember when they first announced Camp NaNo, but because I was around the forums I heard about it and thought it sounded fun. I’m less busy in the summer so I figured it wouldn’t be a big deal trying it. Strangely enough I actually felt November was easier even though I was busier, but I still enjoyed it. I worried that if I did too many novels in a month, I’d lose the excitement or something, but I haven’t. If anything, it just gives me more experience writing, and more rough drafts to inwardly weep about due to their ridiculousness.
I knew they were hosting Camp again this year due to a forum post. Plus I sort of assumed they would since they had for the past two years. The months were a bit of a mystery seeing as they keep changing every year though. When I learned it was in April, there was a bit of a panic there, but I decided to try it. Ever since I started NaNo, I’ve done every Camp and every November NaNo offered. I love writing and NaNo is just the motivation I need to finish.
Have you participated in Camp Nano before? If so, would you call it a success?
Yes I have, four times. I think anytime I write anything it’s a success. But I did win all four of them, so I guess I’d consider them a success. I haven’t done anything with my past NaNo novels, there’s a couple that I think have potential if I go back and really work on them. I just don’t think editing is as fun as the chaos and excitement of that wildly written first draft, so I have the habit kicking my feet in that area. All my NaNo rough drafts come out as dreadfully embarrassing messes which make them even harder to edit, but I still consider their existence to be success all the same.
Do you know what you’re going to write this year?
Yes, sort of. I’m a wannabe planner, but a pantser at heart. One thing for sure is that I have to know character names, setting, genre, title, and premise. All the plot details are made up on the spot. So I know the general idea of what I’m going to write. I don’t really have a plot yet, I’m hoping I’ll discover that along the way. Almost all my previous NaNo’s have been in the Horror and Supernatural category so this year I’m writing a Fantasy. That was the first thing I decided. From there I got a vague idea that included fairies, and then paintings as a gateway. The idea is still very much just that, pretty hazy and not pieced together, but I prefer my ideas to be flexible since so much changes once I start writing. I’ve learned I just can’t outline. I’ve made myself in the past and then didn’t even use it. Nothing ever goes the way I think it will once I start writing. So yes, in my mind, I know what I’m doing to write this year, but knowing my novel, it’s going to have a different plan that it hasn’t shared with me yet.
What’s your favorite part of your Camp project?
Well I’m not sure yet since I’ve yet to write it. But I have created the characters. I’m excited about my main character especially in this project because he’s different than my others. In the past my main characters have been independent, courageous, outspoken, bold, sometimes determined and fiery. Most often than not female, but a few male leads sprinkled in. This main character is quiet and artistic, mostly ignored and invisible. I’ve had side characters with a few of the same traits, but I think it will be interesting writing a main character with this personality. Plus I really feel like he owns the story, that only he could be the main character. Anyone else just wouldn’t work. That feeling sort of confirms I made the right choice in character creation which makes me feel a little better about not having a concrete plot yet. I feel at least I’ve done something right with this novel so far.
Sneaky Ninja question! What fictional character are you most like?
Ah you sneaky ninja, this is always such a difficult question. I read a lot of young adult fiction with female leads and those girls are never like me, always headstrong and romantic.
I’d say I’m a mix of a few different characters. Starting with Samwise Gamgee from Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings. It’s my favorite series so I had to compare myself to one of those characters, plus, who doesn’t absolutely love hobbits? I like to consider myself as loyal and determined as Sam. I have never carried one of my friends up a volcano, but you know, here’s thinking I’d try.
Second, I think I’m a bit like Charlie from Perks of Being a Wallflower. I’m not quite as quirky, mentally unstable, and wouldn’t try drugs recreationally, but as a whole I felt his personality was fairly close to mine.
Last, I think I’m a bit like Annabel from Sarah Dessen’s Just Listen. It was one of the few books where I felt like the character actually was me because we were so similar. Normally I find traits in characters that I have, but very rarely have I read a character who not only shares a similar personality, but also similar thoughts about things.
That’s my dog Willow and her sister Daisy when they were puppies. They’re three now, but that picture is just too cute to not share with as many people as possible.
Alright a ramble about myself, I can do that. I’ll try to be interesting.
I’m a college student who was born and raised in Alaska with three younger brothers, two dogs, and a cat, trying to get my degree in Early Childhood Education. It’s a long and boring process, I truthfully do not enjoy college at all. But you do what you have to for a greater future. I want to do a lot with my life, and so it might help to have some money.
I like having a wide range of interests, and honestly, it doesn’t take too much to interest me. When I’m not writing, chances are I’m outside, running, biking, or skiing, snuggling my pets, taking pictures, playing the piano, listening to music, reading, watching tv, or playing the Wii. I hate being bored, so I’m always open to new hobbies.
I think life is about experiences, so I aim to travel the world someday. My top places to visit are South Africa, Australia, Italy, Iceland, Spain, Ireland, Greece, and Brazil. But you know, I’d really just like to visit everywhere. For now, all my traveling takes place through reading and writing, but that’s alright, a story that’s good enough to make you feel a part of a different world, is a story worth reading/writing, if you ask me.
The Kelworth Files 