Sticky Notes Blog

A blog of writing news, tips, and inspiration from Fat Plum

"Trial by deadline"

I've just learned of the 3-Day Novel Contest. It's happening over this Labor Day weekend. You are permitted to prepare an outline ahead of time, but all writing must take place during the approved hours. Average resulting novel length is 100 pages -- more a novella than a novel, but let's not quibble.

I've done the NaNoWriMo events in the past. That's a 30-day event, always run over the course of November. You write 50 thousand words in 30 days -- works out to about a 200-word draft. My mother complains that the NaNoWriMo organizers must all be young and unattached, because she has to plan Thanksgiving events and get ready for the holidays and really struggles to get her writing time in. I suspect she's right. And yet I notice that she has completed the NaNoWriMo challenge despite her hurdles....

Some points about the three-day contest: You must register ahead of time, at $50 per writer. You must send in your novel. Entries are judged, and the "winning" entry is offered publication. It's not clear from the site who the publisher is and what happens next, but I see that the author retains all rights to the result, which is essential. You could still seek publication elsewhere instead.

As for the three-day novel writing experience...it's an interesting proposition. My currently in-progress novel is in the plotting stage, and I had planned to complete plotting by the end of Labor Day weekend (pushing the deadline back -- the previous deadline had been September 1) and then aim to complete the first draft by December 31. Now I feel a challenge has been issued. If I can get the plotting done before Friday, which would mean that it meets the "outlines acceptable" deadline, I'm going to go for the three-day first draft. I'm aiming for 86,000 words, which works out to 2388 words per hour (figuring in sleeping and breaks). This is within the realm of possibility. (I type quickly.)

If I manage it, this would give me until the end of the year to complete the second draft, a significant improvement on my old schedule.

I've already been invited to two Labor Day weekend parties. I intend to attend both.

Further updates will be posted during the week. I invite you to join in the fun. If you do, send me an email (see our contact page) and keep me apprised of your progress.

For me, check back in for either notes on progress or excuses as to why I'm backing out.


UPDATE (9/1/2004): Things aren't looking good. I've made almost no progress on the outline all week: I worked on building the backstory of a key character, but no plotting. And for the rest of this week I'm booked with meetings, the Barnes & Noble presentation tomorrow night, and some writing coaching, not to mention income generating activities. So barring a miraculous burst of creative energy -- not impossible, not likely -- I'll have to miss this year's three-day novel event. However, I think it's a terrific idea and will aim for it for next year. I encourage you to do the same.

Posted by Cindy on August 28, 2004
This entry was posted in the following categories: Calls for submissions