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October 27, 2009
It's NaNoWriMo Time!
You might already know that NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month (http://www.nanowrimo.org), a time when writers all over the world join in a writing frenzy during the month of November. The goal: To write a 50,000 word novel in just 30 days. Sound crazy? It is, but it's also addictively motivating!
This upcoming November 1st will be my fifth NaNoWriMo kick-off day when I stuff my laptop into my bag and head to the nearest Panera Bread to write. I stay as long as it takes to get in my required 1667 words that will serve as the day's quota.
"Not writing fiction," you say?
I say, "Who Cares?" Join NaNoWriMo today and make some serious headway on your nonfiction book, articles, essays, memoir, or even your outline.
The point is to use the NaNoWriMo community as a place of accountability. Quite literally, you can track your word count, post comments, and check out how the writers on your Buddy List are progressing. It's a positive, pressure-filled (in a good way) environment that propels you through the greatest word count you'll ever produce in 30 days (unless you're Stephen King who's been known to write 2000 words per day on a regular basis).
I've completed my 50,000 words in the years 2005 and 2007. In 2006 and 2008, I wrote from 35 - 40,000 -- nothing to be embarrassed about.
Don't offer excuses that work is too busy or your family's too demanding. Last year, in addition to living the usual Frantic Woman's life I lead, I was in the midst of helping my daughter with the exhausting college application process as well as facing the grave illness of a family member. If I could do it then, so can you.
Stay tuned for some tips I'll offer in an upcoming blog post about how to cope through the NaNo frenzy.
For now, sign up. It's easy and it's free. (I always give a tax-deductible donation, but you don't have to.) After you become a member of the prestigious NaNoWriMo community, add me to your Buddy List. My author name there is "novelnut."
Let me know what project you'll be working on next month. And hurry! Only a few days remain before it's time to hit the keyboard.
See you at Panera!
Judy
Posted by Judy at October 27, 2009 09:58 AM
Comments
Okay, I am signing up! WoooHoooo!!!!
Posted by: Julie Long at October 28, 2009 08:59 AM
We're going to have such a productive month, Julie! The only way to get the burden of these outlines (we've been toting and tweaking them for two months, at least) out of our lives is to write our stories, one scene at a time!
Posted by: Judy Schneider at October 28, 2009 09:34 AM
I'm with you, too. Time to get working on that story that has been brewing!
Posted by: Sally Shirey at October 28, 2009 11:26 AM
I'm so glad to hear you'll be joining us, Sally! I'm sure you'll find the whole NaNoWriMo system to be quite motivating. Keep me posted on how it's going. I wish you the best of luck!
Judy
Posted by: Judy Schneider at October 28, 2009 11:32 AM
I'm definitely in this year. I've wanted to do this for so long... I refuse to keep myself from what I love any longer! Now all I need to do is plow through all the ideas and figure out what I'm going to write! See you all there!
Posted by: Lisa Benwitz at October 28, 2009 02:56 PM
That's great news, Lisa! You won't be sorry you gave this a try. As for which project to choose, I'd work on the story you're most passionate about telling, primarily because you're going to be spending a lot of time with it in the near future. Can't wait to hear more about it!
Judy
Posted by: Judy Schneider at October 28, 2009 03:56 PM
Judy, got your note and I have signed up at NaNoWriMo! I intended to just plug in a fantasy novel I'm halfway through but, upon reading that the penalty for doing that is death, I will instead try to write book #2 in that series. I'm spending the next day or two fleshing out what was a rather sketchy outline so I'll be ready to commence typing*** at one minute past midnight next Sunday.
*** This whole novel-in-a-month thing reminds me of a Truman Capote comment about some romance writer who cranked out a book every six weeks. "That's not writing," Capote said. "That's typing."
Posted by: Steve Morrill at October 29, 2009 08:45 AM
Yes, Steve, it IS forbidden to write one word before the stoke of midnight, but your idea of starting at 12:01 is ingenious! (I usually wait until morning.)
So glad you're on board. This will be productive and fun.
Good luck!
Judy
P.S. Love the Capote quote!
Posted by: Judy Schneider at October 29, 2009 09:36 AM
The key word in what you said, I think, is accountability...and what a great way to become immersed in an atmosphere of support, comraderie AND accountability. You go, (and you WRITE), girl! mary
Posted by: Mary at October 29, 2009 10:42 AM
Mary, anything we try to accomplish is easier, as you say, when immersed in the company of friends. I fondly remember how our "accountability" meetings often lasted through several pots of coffee!
As always, I thank you for your support!
Judy
Posted by: Judy Schneider at October 29, 2009 11:03 AM
I have drunk pounds and pounds of coffee and ate enough scones for everyone while I am writing at Panera, Borders, or B&N...I have three books written, one of which is a novel, and other short stories, and so many rejects that I could cover my house - inside and out. Just a few thoughts here.
Posted by: Mary Gauntner at October 30, 2009 10:11 AM
Congratulations on your three books, Mary! That's quite an accomplishment. I agree that coffee is essential for survival, especially during NaNoWriMo. It reminds me of the following quote:
Coffee makes us severe, and grave, and philosophical. ~ Jonathan Swift
What more could a writer need?
Good luck!
Judy
Posted by: Judy Schneider at October 30, 2009 10:30 AM
Off the subject of novel writing. In case anyone is interested in submitting a story or poem for an anthology through Writers and Poets ads...Has your mother died? This is an anthology about remembering our mothers after they have died seeks emotionally honest and compelling submissions that will resonate with the reader. The intent is not to dwell on death itself but rather to place it in loving perspective...from sad to angry, from tender to humorous, all will be considered. Content will deal with your mother's life and/or your relationship with her. Prose poems and poetry max 100 lines. Short prose max 750 words. If previously published, please include reprint permission and literary credit. Send up to 5 submissions and brief bio. Payment: 1 free copy if accepted. Submit by Dec. 1, 2009 in 12-point, double spaced Word doc. to motherlosspoetry@gmail.com or mail to Mother Loss/Details, 8663 River Crossing Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46240.
Posted by: Mary at October 31, 2009 10:11 AM
Mary, thanks for sharing this information! Good luck to anyone who gives it a try!
NOTE: Publication of this information does not imply endorsement. Enter at your own risk!
Judy
Posted by: Judy Schneider at October 31, 2009 11:52 AM