Wandering around the blogosphere a few weeks ago, I stumbled upon several posts about NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). Many writers whose blogs I read, have signed up and are eagerly awaiting the start of November to begin this month long challenge.
I thought it sounded impossible. Write a 50' 000 word novel in a month or less? How on earth was anyone supposed to do that? I dismissed the idea as silly, and promptly forgot about it.
But November was creeping closer, and more and more people were preparing for NaNoWriMo. Everyone seemed to be doing it. Everyone seemed very excited about doing it. Intrigued, I paid a quick visit to the official site and had a look round.
Wow! Suddenly I was interested in NaNoWriMo. What a goal! Spend a month writing, and have a book at the end of it. It might be worth giving it a go.
The clincher for me, was when Mum bought No Plot? No Problem! by Chris Baty, one of the founders of NaNoWriMo. I devoured the book in an afternoon. Now I knew I wanted to take part in this years NaNoWriMo. But I still didn't sign up. Would I have time to write that much? What if I didn't? What if I failed? What if I wrote complete rubbish?
When Charlotte came out and said she wanted to do NaNoWriMo, I knew I'd just have to do it now. I'd risk all those fears and go for the goal. No way was she going to beat me!
We signed up together, with the full approval of Mum. Much to our surprise, she was also considering doing NaNoWriMo. We're rather hoping she does. Just think, three writers in the same family, all striving for the same goal.
With the start of NaNoWriMo in ten days, I'm suddenly very enthusiastic about this challenge. I'm going to make that goal, and I'm going to write a book. And most of all, I'm going to enjoy this impossible sounding challenge.
Are you taking part in NaNoWriMo this year? Have you taken part in other years? Do you have any tips for me? Do you think I'm crazy to even consider attempting this?
i did junioiur NaNoWriMo in 2009, it was good in the fact i had a completed MS after it all. But, bad because my entire day evolved around this one thing. like I hardly did anything except write. I say if you've got the time and gumption go for it. I might do it againj someday, but not this year. I don't think.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
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Autumn
Ooh, good luck! I also considered doing NaNoWriMo, but I kinda chickened out at the last minute. I'm really more of a poetry writer than a story writer, though I'd love to write like a novelist. But anyway, I'm doing a "modified" version sponsored by a writer's club that I belong to. Plus, I'm doing a drawing/photograph-every-day thing sponsored by Shealynn's Fairy Shoppe. (If you've never checked out her blog, do so!) So I shall be plenty busy enough - especially with my procrastinating habits...
ReplyDeleteAs for advice, I can't give much. The only suggestion I have is that you might set a certain time each day to write - maybe first thing in the morning, maybe after school - whatever works best. That way you don't forget about it or anything. But if your sister and mother are doing it too, it may be easier to get it done. It's so awesome that you have three writers in your family! Lucky!
Autumn, I can see how it would take up a lot of time in the day. Thankfully as Mum is doing NaNoWriMo too, we might be able to integrate it into our school work. At my writing pace (always assuming I have ideas to write about) my days quota should only take an hour and a halfish. I'm just so hoping I'll have ideas every day. Haha, wishful thinking.
ReplyDeleteVictoria, such a pity your not doing NaNoWriMo, but I can see that it is a big ask. I'm not sure about finishing it either, but I just want to try it and have some fun. I guess it doesn't help if you're a poetry writer.
ReplyDeleteWhat's your 'modified version' like? Is there less words, or longer to writer them in? Or a different goal entirely.
Thanks for your advise. I know from experience that it helps to write every day. Plus missing a day would put me way behind. Yes, I'll have to make sure I do some every day.
Hurrah for the bold and the brave! Way to take the plunge! Hip Hip HUZZAH!!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, as of right now I am planning on taking the great leap, it sounds like you have some great plans already in place and some excellent advice in place.
My only suggestion is this: Give yourself a HIGHER word goal than the one they give you every day. They say write 1667 words every day. Give yourself a cushion write 2000 words everyday or maybe even 2500 (my goal this year) so if you do happen to miss a day you aren't desperately trying to get back up from where you fell. You have a word cushion in place. You can miss a day if you have to. For me I missed three days last year but yet I finished on time, and yes write every day.
It's daunting but worth it, even if all you do is try your best.
And what is your NaNoWriMo name? I'd love to buddy you.
God Bless as you endeavor!
Jessica
Go Jessica! I'd love to be your buddy. My username is Jane Bennet (one T not two). What's yours?
ReplyDelete(I'll also answer your question on your blog so you see it.)
I definitely want to have a word buffer during November because I know I'll want to take the whole day off on my birthday, and probably on my brother's birthday too.
Good luck, and may we both come out as winners!