This will be my third attempt at the challenge. I say "attempt" because I have yet to complete it. The first year I eeked out the first week feeling alone and ridiculous with the challenge. The second year I was a few weeks in but peetered out due to my inconsistency with writing and knowing it would be impossible to catch up.
In order to pass the 50,000 in 30 days you have to commit to writing every single day. You have to pump out about 1700 words per day!!! Imagine if you get behind. Two days behind and you already have to make up 3400 words plus the 1700 for the day you jumped back in. Yikes!!!
This year is a must for me! I actually added it to my 40 by 40 list (found in the right hand column). That's a commitment to me, by me. Aack! What was I thinking????
The problem I have with NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writer's Month) is letting go. It's kind of a theme for me. I like control, I'm a perfectionist and I'm not so good at just letting go. In order to complete the 50,000 words you really have to free flow your writing. Just write whatever comes into your head. Let it flow out without correction, overthinking or really much planning at all. Not the way I normally work. I like to over-think, over-plan, expect perfection. Damn, I sound like a prudish bore! Hence the reason this challenge will be so good for me!
I need to cut loose, let the words flow, get the inner critic out of my ear, and fight the urge to quit. This year I need to take better advantage of all the tools they offer to help you achieve success. There are chat rooms, web badges, word counters, places to sign up writing buddies so you can keep each other motivated, there is merchandise you can purchase, and even a procrastination station!
I am hoping my dear blog is not too negatively affected by my participation as I am already pressed for blog time, but this is very important to me so I will press on. Care to join in the fun? NaNoWriMo.org
p.s. the fun begins November 1st (gulp! that's only a few days away)
"Writing is easy: All you do is sit staring at a blank sheet of paper
until drops of blood form on your forehead." ~ Gene Fowler
9 comments:
I like it Lynn. You´ll just have to switch off Miss Perfectionist and turn on Miss I am really enjoying throwing these words out!!
Go! GO! This is awesome. (Take a break from blogging if you must)
Find some online support! One of the forums I'm on had a group of people do this last year, and it was just so inspiring to watch how encouraging and supportive they were of one another. I believe several of them ended up publishing the novels they wrote.
what a fabulous way to spend november!! you go girl!! i can't tell you how much i admire you for just going for it!! i would join you, but i'm no writer......plus, i'd probably end up spending all of my time hanging out in the procrastination station......
here's looking forward to the big 50,000!!!
good luck!! xox, :))
good luck! :)
WhooHooo!! Okay, so now I see that it wasn't a coincidence you read my post this morning. First get rid of all those thoughts holding you back (I know it's hard I perfected procrastination). Then say "I AM a writer" I will complete this task I've set before me and imagine yourself at the 'finish line' all smiles with your book in hand. Then work backwards from there. Besides, don't look at it as 50,000 words or even 1700 words a day. In reality it's only about 71 words an hour. Ok if you want 8 hrs sleep then it's only 107 words an hour. See? Easy. You can do this. I've read your blog. You're a writer. And I'll pop in and leave you messages here whether you're posting or not to cheer you on. Until you get tired and tell me to go away! Ha!
Will we get to see some of the novel??? What a riot! Does the novel have to make sense? Does it need a plot, etc?
Gulp! See some of the novel? I'll have to consider! Might be good for me to share :)
The novel can be whatever you want it to be! It's supposed to be fiction, but for each writer, it's their game, so if you prefer non-fiction, go right ahead! It's more an annual self-competition. A push to get participants writing. You can make it what you want, you can write whatever you want. You just have to pump out 50,000 words in the month of November. Would probably help to have a plot and have it make some sense, but the plot might just come along as the story does. Once November is over, participants often go back over their work and do re-writes, additions and more. There have been many published novels that started due to the nanowrimo challenge. Most often, it's just a way to get you to put words down without time for procrastination, self-doubt or perfection. It's a beautiful thing!
this is a huge challenge.... best of luck to you, just keep writing, just keep writing, just keep writing...
You go girl!
I am in awe...write a novel in 30 days?!?? You are a brave one!
Wishing you success!
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