Last week I kicked off by interviewing #NaNoLondon novelists Frank Brinkley and Viviane Schwarz about their experiences of trying to write 50,000 words in 30 days for NaNoWriMo – read the blog post here – now please welcome Kat Arney and Masonic Boom to the party.

QYPE: Why are you taking part this year?

Kat Arney: I’ve been gestating a novel for a couple of years, but never seem to have time to knuckle down to writing it. I’ve never done the challenge before, but it seemed like a good kick in the pants to have to hit a target and write the damn thing. After all, there are millions of people who say they could write a book, but far fewer that actually do.

MasonicBoom: Because I’d had a great germ of a story floating around in my head since I came back from holiday (at the beginning of October) and needed some kind of kick to get it down on paper (or wordpad).

QYPE: What are you hoping to get from the experience?

Kat Arney: I’m hoping to get at least the first draft of a passable novel, that I hope to tidy up and (even more hopefully) maybe get published. I’m also hoping to exorcise some demons along the way, and prove to myself that I can do it.

MasonicBoom: Confidence, mainly.

QYPE: How is it going so far?

Kat Arney: I’m pretty pleased with the way it’s turning out, although I hope I’ve got enough plot to last the remaining ?K.

MasonicBoom: Surprisingly well. I started about a week late, because I had a houseguest, so I thought I wouldn’t be able to catch up. The first few pages were really difficult, as it’s always hardest to get started. But once I got a couple of thousand words into it, suddenly it just started to flow, and I can’t get the words down fast enough to keep up with the storyline in my head. I’m now a week ahead of my wordcount!

QYPE: Do you think you’ll “win”?

Kat Arney: Yes. I’ve got quite a lot of free time coming up over the next month – including a week off work. Plus, I’m really enjoying it. And I’m really REALLY stubborn.

MasonicBoom: I am 99% confident (barring any terrible accidents to my wrists) that I will finish.

QYPE: Have you got any tips for keeping up with the daily wordcount?

Kat Arney: You have to clear the decks and plan chunks of time to do it. Even small ones – a few half-hour or 20 min slots over a day is loads of time. And turn off Twitter.

MasonicBoom: Just write every day, no matter how tired you are. Make sure you set aside time for it. It’s not a question of finding time, it’s a question of making time. And most importantly – NEVER go back and reread, and do not edit. That can kill your confidence faster than anything. You can always smooth out a rough beginning or edit your interstitial scenes in December.

QYPE: What has been the most unexpected thing about NaNo so far?

Kat Arney: I’ve never really written such a long piece of fiction. Authors talk about characters developing and doing unexpected things, and I’ve found it to be true – people suddenly pop up from nowhere or do something unusual. My lead character’s prospective boyfriend has just been stolen by another woman, which was not something I’d planned at all.

MasonicBoom: I don’t like my lead protagonists at ALL. But I’ve discovered it’s just as fun, if not more fun, to write someone you think is an idiot – especially if you’re planning a nasty end for them.

QYPE: Can you name any good cafes / restaurants / places to write in London?

Kat Arney: I’ve been enjoying the write-ins at the Camel in Bethnal Green – they do ace pies. I went to one at a pub in Wanstead but it was really draughty and the footie was on. Not good. But mostly I like to write at my kitchen table.

MasonicBoom: I can’t write anywhere but in my own bedroom. I get loads of easy to prepare finger foods in (try the Mediterranean Food Centre on Streatham Hill for really good Turkish meze) so I don’t have to take a break to cook. Also, I’m lucky, in that I live next to the best Indian takeaway in Streatham (Darjeeling) so I barely have to leave the house.

QYPE: Do you have any plans for your novel after the month has ended?

Kat Arney: I’m hoping it will run to a bit more than 50,000 words, making it a proper length. I’ll then do a thorough edit. Then I will meet the agent of my dreams and get a massive book deal. First, though, I hope to find some people to critically read it – meaning nobody I’m related to by blood or sharing bodily fluids with. Baby steps.

MasonicBoom: Haven’t thought that far ahead. Just concentrating on writing it first.

QYPE: Will you be taking part in NaNoWriMo 2010?

Kat Arney: Yes – I’ve even thought of a plot already, involving DIY and S&M. Watch this space.

MasonicBoom: Absolutely. It’s been a really positive experience so far.

Image courtesy of rahego’s Flickr stream.