I've never done it before. I have written 50k in a month before--on rewrites, which means I've already got the basic novel done in a draft form, making it much easier to do the massive word count in one go. I've not really timed myself before, but I don't think I've written 50k of a new draft in a month.
And I've never participated in NaNoWriMo for another reason--I've never been in a situation where November provided me with a good opportunity to start a new project (because, of course, the idea is to start--and finish--something brand new in a month). I usually draft in the summer and revise in the fall and winter, so November has been a bad month for me to participate.
But.
This year, I find myself in the last week of October with a shiny new idea. And a need to finish a new draft. I got on Twitter and mentioned NaNoWriMo, and several friends immediately said they were participating, too.
And...well, let's just say that I can recognize the fates lining up when I see them.
So I did it. I signed up for NaNoWriMo.
Will I finish 50k of a new book by the end of November? Honestly, I don't know. On the one hand, I have a lot of travel lined up for November--I'll be gone literally half the month. On the other hand, carpe diem.
What about you? Have you ever participated in NaNoWriMo? Why/why not? Any pointers?
22 comments:
Yay! I'm so glad you are participating too. I did it last year, wrote over 65,000 words but did NOT get to THE END. Still haven't on that one despite redrafting in the spring. My Nano project this year I have described as ____ meets ___ meets ACROSS THE UNIVERSE so maybe you will be my good luck charm. Will also be editing the verse novel and finishing a reno probably so it will be a crazy month.
I've never done NaNo before because in Australia November = exam time, so I barely write 500 words, let alone 50,000! But I really want to do it one day!
Good luck!
I've never participated for reasons similar to those you listed. I am, however, thinking about setting a very ambitious goal for myself this month so I can be super-motivated and not sleep like all the other writers. (It's always more like "carpe noctem" for me...)
Best of luck!!!
I've done six session of NaNo (this will be my seventh) in three years and finished four of them! NaNo is amazing!
I have every year since 2004, and I've always strictly held myself to the *quality over quantity* goal. A couple years I've halved the goal (due to school/work/health) and have always succeeded, even though it wasn't an official win ;)
I think NaNo was very important in giving me a clear idea, not only of how much I can write under pressure, but also confirming that I still love to write, even under a tight deadline.
I participated last year, when I was 14. It was great and so much fun! I ended up not liking my story very much, so I think I'm going to re-try this year. My only advice would be to plan your story out well first, because I did not do that last year, and don't edit while you go. Just write and let the words flow out of you; you can edit after NaNoWriMo is over.
I got a typewriter this year, so I can write much faster on that than I can on the computer. My typewriter doesn't have any white out, so I just write unedited and I get so much more work done! Then I'll just scan everything in once the novel is complete.
Good luck! :)
TheBookworm said it best: Just keep writing. Don't go back and edit. I've changed characters' names halfway through, removed characters but not gone back to update the beginning, titled a chapter "Chapter I forget what chapter I'm on"... don't stop. Just write.
Context: I've won twice, in 2006 and 2011, and am trying again this year despite moving my entire household in early November.
This will be my seventh NaNo. I've only "won" once, but any new words I add are considered a win in my book! It's always really fun for the community aspect of it, plus all of my writer friends are online, so it's nice to meet other writers in my area.
Timing is everything with NaNo...glad the fates are on your side this year.
I keep waiting for a year when I get a shiny new idea, I'm not in the middle of something else and I have no guests coming for Thanksgiving...don't know if the fates will ever line up for me:)
I've never participated because I work full-time and have a daughter who keeps me very busy, now with swimming. I am going to keep my blogging a bit quieter and try to focus on my writing more in November whether it be writing or researching agents to query when I start querying for the first time after Jan. 1st.
I've done it the last 2 years and completed both years. THe first year I finished my story at 53,000 words. The second year I hit the 50 k but didn't finish the story and still haven't.
I'm really excited for this year though, I have a really good idea (I think)
I've added you as a 'Writing Buddy' so I can follow your progress.
Good luck and have fun!!!
I have done it many years, but never successfully completed the novel in a month. I did finally finish one novel, a year later. The biggest challenge for me is remembering to write everyday and sticking to a schedule. I also do the Young Writers Program with my students. Feel free to add me as a writing buddy: CoolKitty
I have done it many years, but never successfully completed the novel in a month. I did finally finish one novel, a year later. The biggest challenge for me is remembering to write everyday and sticking to a schedule. I also do the Young Writers Program with my students. Feel free to add me as a writing buddy: CoolKitty
It seems like everyone I know is going for it this year. This is my first year as well and several friends and I have all decided to group up and support each other. Good luck!
I've never done Nano for pretty much the same reason as you: I'm always in the middle of revising something and don't want to stop to begin something new. I know I should do it someday, and that it will be a real challenge for me, as I'm a very slow, meticulous writer. Good luck with it!
It's always a blast to do NaNo. It'll be my fourth year participating. I'm bookworm0753 on the site. :)
Nanowrimo is a blast! So glad you decided to join! I did it last year it totally helped me. I'm on board this year! WOOT! No sure if I have any pointers. For me it was force myself to write even if I'm not getting the juices coming. Otherwise I'll get too behind and the race to the end is PAINFUL! lol. :D Have fun! Can't wait to hear about your new idea. lol. If it ever sees the light. :D
<3 Inky@ Book Haven Extraordinaire
I have participated! Last year was my first. It was wonderful.
I travel for my 'day job' and I find that airports are a great place to write and find inspiration :)
Good luck to you!
yay! I've participated the last four years in a row and completed 3 novel drafts. I go into it with the idea that anything and everything is better than nothing, right?
I was really looking forward to this year, but I'll be moving half way through the month. I may not finish 50K, but if I can get 30-40K I'll be ecstatic.
Good luck and enjoy!
I'm doing it this year! I've never done it before, but I'm really excited :)! It sounds like a lot of hard work, but it'll be worth it in the end! Good luck!
This will be my fourth time participating.
Have fun, relax, write when you can. If you are feeling inspired go for as long as you can, you might not feel the same the next day, so they extra word count will give you a cushion to fall back on.
Don't worry too much about reaching the 50K, whatever you get done is more than you had before.
Have fun. :D
Yay! So cool that you're jumping in the NaNo pond.
Tomorrow we write! :)
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