Anyway, I made a late decision yesterday to sign up for NaNoWriMo. If you don't know about it, it's National Novel Writing Month, a US-based initiative that encourages would-be writers to put their words where their mouths are and crank out a 50,000-word manuscript in 30 days. As of today, 156,415 people had signed up.
It's not easy. I tried it about three years ago and failed miserably. However, I got down 15,000 words of what became my first full-length novel (future of which still to be decided).
This time, I'm breaking the rules a little and using it to break the back of my current work in progress. I just love the daily counting. Watching the total go up. The little graph that charts your progress. I promise not to claim a prize if I actually get to 50,000 new words this time. The prize will be finishing the damn book (we've talked about this before).
So far I'm on target. Then again, it's only day two... With any luck, I'll have a complete first draft (or thereabouts) by November 30. Then the real work can begin.
Are you doing NaNo this year? Excited? Have you made any big decisions lately?
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YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This has made my day. Buddy me. (themakeupgirl).
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm doing it exactly the same - it's not an entirely new work but it's giving me the kick up the proverbials I need and I love watching the word count rise.
Came flying out of the traps yesterday like a whippet, now lolling more like a spaniel.
Good for you, and good luck! I aim for 3000 words a week, but with work and other stuff don't have the time for 50,000 in a month. Or the discipline, admittedly. Wishing you time and discipline and lots of words.
ReplyDeleteWishing you lots of luck Al, but knowing your dedication I am sure you'll fly through. I signed up but thus far my word count is 0.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on deciding to go for it and that's a great way of making NaNo work for you. I'm doing it for the first time this year and I am determined to have fun with it! Good luck with your WiP and buddy me on the site. (katheastman as on Twitter)
ReplyDeleteOK, buddy me -- Pamelot :)
ReplyDeleteI'm doing the SAME THING. I have 16,000 in my WIP, and I'm using Nano to finish it. 50,000 is 50,000. So glad you're giving it a shot!
How exciting, this is a wonderful challenge! I hope it all goes wonderful well and you are able to reach your goal.
ReplyDeleteHave a beautiful Wednesday. xxxx
Wow. That's quite ambitious. I'm envious of your determination.Pls keep us posted as to your progress.
ReplyDeleteWow, 50K is a lot! But i$ confident you can churn it out (being the fastest writer I know).
ReplyDeleteI must say, they were really reaching for an anagram there, weren't they?! For a title associated with writers, it's absolutely dreadful! x
How wonderful!! I think all the best, bravest and clearest decisions are the snap decisions. My very first post was written within about an hour of me having the inspiration to do it. I say, just jump in with both feet - which it looks like you've more then done!!! xxx
ReplyDeleteIt's exciting isn't it! I'm fivebirds. I'm on target.. but it is on;y day three and yesterday was a public holiday here! It has refocussed me, which is great and got me back into thinking about what I want to write.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see the graph go up... so far. I know there will be days when it goes down down down!
My main goal is to write and not worry about it being perfect. Just get it out of my head on on the screen. I am even trying to ignore typos for now. But it's hard!
I looked at it, thought about it and didn't sign up because (for me) it would just present another distraction - "friending" people and comparing notes, looking at graphs etc - all lovely but not productive.
ReplyDeleteI have 55,000 to go and if it's not done before I go on holidays (10 December) then I clearly don't want it enough to make it a priority.
As a rather influential but human-rights failing company once said "Just Do It!"
Good for you!! That's really exciting & very inspiring, it'll be great!
ReplyDeleteGood on you! (And all you other NaNo-ers) Hope you win.
ReplyDeleteI'm not doing NaNo this year, despite declaring last year that I would do it in 2010. I'm doing PiBoIdMo instead. :-)
I hope you get it done. I couldn't do 50,000 words even if some one waved a blank cheque at me as a bribe.
ReplyDeleteYay Allison! Go for it! It makes me cry with jealousy just hearing from all these people doing the NaNo, but my recent big decision (that is still not quite sitting right with me) is to cull from my life.
ReplyDeleteMuch like your bath toys, my life seems to be breeding projects that all make my heart soar with joy and excitement but then, when I can't devote adequate time or energy to them, make my soul crash. I can't do everything I want to do, so for the moment I am getting back to the very basics - cook, clean, blog occasionally and mother. Any gardening that happens to get a run is a bonus.
So, I send you all those left over creative juices that are bound to drive me insane at any moment. Write write write away!
Is it only for novels or self help books too?
ReplyDeleteSupposed to be for fiction, I think, but for me, it's about the deadline. If you've got something you want to write, make the most of the writing energy that's around and sign up!
ReplyDeleteThat's brave - good on you Allison.
ReplyDeleteOne day, when I get more than 4hours in a row sleep... I'm lucky to string together 50 (mildly coherent) words a day!
Have heard good things about the NaNo - have fun.
I've always wanted to try but then I get sidetracked by other things in life. I should really give it a whirl though. So much kudos to you for tackling it~that's impressive, considering all of the other things you have to balance in life!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to thank you so much for commenting on my SITS day. Your encouraging words meant the world to me :) Hope you're having a fantastic weekend and I am your newest follower!