I'm running a bit behind on checking my annual calendar reminders, but the one I did want to mention this week is National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo. Each year thousands of writers around the globe spend the month of November writing a 50,000 word novel in thirty days. I've unofficially joined in a few times, but as I have a book due in October, a new release coming out in early December, and (possibly) a WFH job to add to the work schedule, I don't think I'll be NaNo'ing this year. As before I'll do what I can to support, nag, and cheer on the participants.
I'm hoping to do something completely new this year for NaNoWriMo as well; I'll have more on that once I iron out the details. I'll also have some spectacular NaNoWriMo-related news to share in the very near future, but since I don't want to jinx it before it's all settled I'm also going to keep that under my hat until it is. Don't worry, it'll be worth the wait.
Are any of you planning to write a novel in November? How are you getting ready for this marvelous marathon? Let us know in comments.
I have done and won NaNo every year since I first started in 2004 I think. I have no idea what I'll be writing, but whether I decide in advance or feel commanded at the last second, it seems I'm always there :).
ReplyDelete:-D
ReplyDeleteI did NaNo once, won, and vowed to (likely) never do it again. Of course, depending on where the new WIP is at that time of the year, I might consider it just to push through to the end. Or not. We'll see.
ReplyDeleteI'm not doing NaNo but I do have a new project I want to start in November.
ReplyDeleteAgonizing and crazy as it is to do NaNo, I wouldn't miss it. This will be my fourth year and I'm already getting excited...though still clueless about my plot.
ReplyDeleteI always try (think I have for eight years). Never have won. Will probably try again.
ReplyDeleteI did NaNo last year for the second time. First year was a lame attempt and I make it all month. Last year, I amazed myself and wrote 75,000+ words (of a completely different book than I set out to write and had extensively outlined). Half at least was total dreck but the foundation of a story was there and I'm working on revisions now.
ReplyDeleteThe biggest plus for me was the breakthrough in understanding my creative process. It was really powerful to see how the ideas start to flow when you immerse yourself deeply into your story every day. The connections you start to make to seemingly unrelated ideas and thoughts was very cool for me.
So I definitely plan to participate again this year, in some form.
I can't wait to see what you have in store for NaNoWriMo. Your WAY OF THE CHEETAH gave me a big boost last year, as did your NaNo related archived posts. Thanks for sharing your resources!
Right now I need to focus more on writing a book in a year. The energy of a bunch of people sprinting together to a goal is terrific but unless I can find a bunch of tortoises to crawl along with me I'm on my own.
ReplyDeleteMy first experience of NaNo was last year, and your blog really helped me through it - and I won! Was so proud of myself for that. I had an idea about a month ago for a new YA novel (which is a genre I don't even read at the mo, never mind write!) so I've been plotting out some ideas, getting my characters ready and actually reading some novels of this genre to give me a vague idea of what I'm supposed to be doing!
ReplyDeleteLook forward to your tips, am sure they will be very useful and imaginative!