My Oh My, Your Scene is So Big

If you've been anywhere in the blogosphere or Twitter today, you'll know that it's the start of NaNoWriMo!

Last week I pledged to add 50 pages to my WiP this month. I realize this is a small goal compared to a 50k novel that the regular Nano-ers are doing. But considering this is my first one, I thought I'd start out with a modest goal so that I have a good chance of reaching it and hopefully blowing it out of the water.

On each week's posts this month, I will give you a word count update. Today I will start at writing at the 20,624 word mark. I hope to reach at least 36k by November 30. I'm sure I will learn some lessons along the way. This is still my first novel, after all.

Which brings me to what I'd like to discuss this week: writing the big scenes.

Last week, I came to a pivotal moment in my WiP. It's the moment my MC's world comes crashing down around her (it's actually where I'm going to pick up writing after I finish this blog post!). Here is what went through my mind:

1. (Weeks prior) How should she find out? Who should tell her? How? When? ...
2. *thinking, thinking, thinking* *weeks pass*
3. OK, I should just start writing and see what comes out.
4. *thinking thinking thinking* *puts it off* *slowly writes scene leading up to BIG SCENE*
5. (Last week) *starts writing BIG SCENE*
6. Hm, she ends up at this location with this person. OK, I'll go with this for now.
7. Oh dude! Look who just walked in! (Yes, I frequently surprise myself)
8. OK, so what should they say to each other?
9. *thinking, thinking, thinking*
10. *writes some awkward dialogue* (awkward for the characters - not awkward writing, I hope)
11. *BIG REVELATION* - dun dun DUUUUUNNN!
12. Yes! She finally knows! *dances in chair*
13. Aww, poor MC *sad face*
14. How should MC handle this news? Scream? Cry? Laugh? Go on a shooting rampage?
15. *writes MC's inner torment* *re-reads scene*
16. *thinks writing stinks*
17. Dang it! This scene is MUY IMPORTANTE. It has to smack the reader in the face!
18. *fidgets* *adds a sentence or two*
19. *whines to self*
20. Should I come back to it later?
21. No, no, no. I should make it GREAT the first time through. Don't be so LAZY.
22. *stares at screen*
23. Think like a best-selling author - what would THEY do?
24. *squirms some more*
25. That's enough for today. *closes WiP*

So that's where I am now. About to embark on step 26 and make this BIG SCENE and BIG BRILLIANT SCENE. Or, make it a solid scene and move on. (More likely the latter)

There's always the editing process, right?

Good luck with your NaNoWriMo endeavors!