Since we had no Castle or Hawaii Five-O last night because of the presidential debate, I had time to mull over whether I might participate in NaNoWriMo this year.
For anyone who doesn't know, NaNoWriMo is National Novel Writing Month where you write a novel (or 50,000 words) in the month of November. There's a place for you to track your progress and get encouragement and almost all of my author friends participate each November.
But I've never done it.
For one thing, I have limited and irregular computer time so that makes it hard for me. And, you know, those kids demand my time since I'm their mother and all.
But a tiny part of me is thinking that I might be able to do it this year. The baby is two now and the older kids do help quite a bit. I am a good meal-planner so no one would go hungry and my older kids are also great cooks if I get in a bind. Not to mention my husband is also a great support with whatever I need.
But I'm still scared. What if it's too much? What if I only think I can organize my life and time enough to do it? What if halfway through I know I just can't do it without my other responsibilities suffering?
*sigh*
I even have an idea for a book which is why I thought I might do it in the first place.
As a compromise, I was thinking that maybe I wouldn't officially sign up, but just do something here on the blog for accountability. Sort of like my own personal NaNoWriMo, but more like the JumpStartWriMo we did last summer on the blog.
What do you think? Do you do NaNoWriMo? Would you be up for doing something on the blog for those of us who just aren't sure we can really jump all in to do it in an official capacity?
I'm an award-winning romantic suspense novelist, but in my free time I love to review books and my fave TV shows, as well as pass along great book deals, and eat Canadian chocolate---not necessarily in that order.
10 comments:
I'm doing NaNo for the first time this year. Even though I am doing the official thing, I would love to participate in a mini version as well. That way I don't feel too bad when I don't meet the official goal. ;)
Author Jason Wright was contemplating doing it (he posted on facebook), and one of his fans said something to the effect of, “Well, even if you try and only get to 10,000 words, that’s still 10,000 words you wouldn’t have written otherwise.” I think that’s a great point!
I was totally gearing up to do it and planning on it when my stake called me on Saturday to head the script-writing committee for a massive pageant they’re doing for youth conference. My deadline is December 15th. Guess God had other plans!
Good luck! I think you should go for it! And just think, what if you do reach 50,000 words? Won’t you be bummed you didn’t sign up for it through the website?? ;-)
I did it last year and while I didn't come close to finishing, I was a lot more disciplined about writing. I'm not doing it this year because I'm in the middle of other projects, and I'm a little sad about that. The counter was a fantastic motivator for me.
I've done NaNoWriMo twice now. I haven't "finished" either time. But I continue to join, knowing that ONE YEAR, I will make it!
But I would be glad to participate on the blog if you decide to for sure not join NaNoWriMo this year.
Good luck with whatever you decide!
Konstanz Silverbow
nothoughts2small.blogspot.com
I signed up for it. I've never done it before, but I'm going to try this time. I hope it'll get me to ignore my internal editor a little more.
I participated several years ago and got within 5,000 words of finishing before the time ran out. I was so disappointed with me. I really was very diligent with my time, too. I made sure that I wrote over 1600 words every day, but then Thanksgiving came along and I missed a couple of days, and Sundays--zap! There went my word count.
That being said...
I have a story that I have rambling in my head, and a little of it outlined in my computer that I would love to have a good chunk written. NaNoWriMo competition would be a GREAT excuse to shove everything else aside and write that rough draft--right?
Oh, my heck! I just got goosebumps! That excitement just convinced me to register. I'll do that right now. Yay!!!
I've been having those exact same thoughts. Not sure what I'll do.
I'd rather do a smaller-scale version on your blog than be a cog in the big machine. I think 5000 words in a month would be a more suitable goal for me. =) And it worked out great last time you did it with the Jump Start.
I signed up for NaNoWritMo. If anybody is willing to look me up and be one of my writing buddies, my username is Emdash50. Anybody?
I did NaNoWriMo last year, but not this year. I have too much on my plate this year. It was a good experience for me. I haven't written like that before and so now I know I can do it; just not this year. :)
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