Monday 5 November 2012

National Novel Writing Month


November is National Novel Writing Month {NaNoWriMo}. The idea is to write 1,666 words every single day in November and at the end you'll have a 50,000 word manuscript. It will be a really rough draft, but it is about getting your story down. Actually doing it. Forming good writing habits to write every day.

I've always thought it sounded like a good idea. Something fun and hard at the same time. But...I've never done it. I'm somewhat scared that I wouldn't actually get it done. I'd quit early on because I had nothing to say. Know what I mean? Well, I'm doing it this year. I'm just throwing caution to the wind and going for it. I don't know if I'll succeed, but if I'm writing everyday then I'll feel as if I am. Even if I'm not hitting a specific word count.

I've written and scheduled posts for the whole month of November here on The Sweet Bookshelf so that I'm not overly stressed about NaNoWriMo. Here's to a goal of writing the story in my head!

Are you doing NaNoWriMo? What did you do to prepare? Have you got any tips for me? I can use all the help I can get!

**UPDATE** I'm 8 days in and I'm just over 10,000 words. I deleted a couple thousand yesterday. I didn't like where my story was headed. I'm doing some more outlining and plotting to make it a great week.

6 comments:

  1. I'm doing Nanowrimo this year for the fourth time (I think) and while I have yet to "win", I always really enjoy it. My biggest problem is that I don't plan out my story enough in advance, so there generally comes a bit at which I'm not motivated enough to continue. But, sometimes it's fun to just let things develop on their own, too. The biggest tips I could give you are to not get too far behind on your word count (slow and steady) and not worry about writing a perfect story. I think of it more as general writing practice, no matter what the outcome. If you need to catch up some words, insert random long paragraphs of description--that helps. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm not all into the "winning" of it. I just think this is a great opportunity for me to develop a habit of writing every day. Getting my story down and learning the writing process. I hope to finish the 50,000 words but I'm not concerned if I don't. I just want to keep going.

      Delete
  2. I signed up for NaNoWriMo as well, Mary. I know that I won't finish - - with my schedule, there is simply no way. But I'm okay with that. I'm not stressing over the daily word count. I feel if I can get myself on the path to writing regularly, as you mentioned, then I've "won". I plan to just enjoy the experience and be happy with whatever word count I end up with at the end because it's more than I started with. :)

    Good luck to you! Happy reading and writing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yay Lori! We can be writing buddies! I have carved out a small amount of time to write and I literally can't write outside of it. I'm OK with this. I'll get done what I can and not stress over the rest. I want to enjoy writing not think about how hard it is to make word count, etc. I think we're on the same path. I'll be happy with whatever I end up with. I know I'll need to keep writing after November anyway ;)

      Delete
  3. This is my fourth year doing NaNo. I didn't "win" the first two years, but I'm ok with that, because I got a lot more writing done than I would have otherwise. My secret to "winning" last year was not going to bed until I'd written my word count or more for the day. Simple, but effective. :) Best of luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jenn! Great tip! I've been making myself write during a certain time and I can't do anything else during that time. I think it is working!

      Delete

I love to hear what you think.
Leave me a comment!

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...