Greetings, fellow writers. It's November, and I was wondering if you're doing NaNoWriMo this year.
What's NaNoWriMo?
Welcome to National Novel Writing Month. On November 1, writers of all kinds — published and aspiring — set off on the challenge to write the first draft of a novel by the end of the month. Approximately 50,000 words in 30 days.
From its start in 1999, the inspirational internet phenomenon has grown and officially became a non-profit in 2006. The challenge has moved beyond one ink-stained wretch alone in a room to group write ins online and in person. They've added programs for writers to prepare for the November challenge (NaNo Prep in September), Camp NaNoWriMo in April and July, and the Now What? program for those who want advice on what to do with that newly completed draft or manuscript.
I've never done the official month long program, though there were times when I was on deadline and it sure felt like I was trying to write 50,000 words in one month. This year I've decided to take the plunge because I need inspiration to finish a manuscript. I figure I should be able to do that by November 30, right?
Have you done NaNoWriMo? What was your experience like?
Shari Randall is the author of the Agatha Award-winning Lobster Shack Mystery series. As Meri Allen, she pens the Ice Cream Shop Mystery series. Her Lobster Shack characters will return in the short story, "The Queen of Christmas," in the December 22 issue of Black Cat Weekly Magazine.
I did NaNoWriMo one year. I succeeded in meeting my 50,000-word goal. I haven't since then because my writing schedule is more flexible and I need to spend more time on non-first draft work most Novembers.
ReplyDeleteI did try it one year, but the 50,000 word manuscript was a total wreck. I do better if I slow down & pay more attention to what I've already written instead of plowing forward willy-nilly.
ReplyDeleteThat one year, however, I did meet some of my best critique partners at a NaNoWriMo event.
I am a firm plotter. I need to have my thoughts and plot ideas worked out before I start writing. I spend a lot of time with paper and pencil jotting down notes about the plot and characters. In order to do NaNo, I would have to start in August to do all the preliminary work before I started writing in November. And since I’m not that organized, I won’t be ready for November.
ReplyDeleteI did Nano way back in 2007. That's where I wrote the first draft of Death by Blue Water, which became my first published novel. It was a great experience, and exactly what I needed at that time to get me to get the words on the page. Despite a successful first Nano, I've never successfully completed the month since.
ReplyDeleteKnowing how slowly I write, I've never tried NaNo. I'm doing the Sisters in Crime Marathon, though, and think that's a pretty cool deal. Set your own goal and get to work. That's more my speed.
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