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I suppose it's time I officially declare my intentions: I've signed up for the creative masochism that is NaNoWriMo and am attempting to write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November.
I attempted NaNo once before, totally on a whim. I think I only got to about 2,600 words. But it was still a fantastic experience and made me want to learn more about the craft of writing fiction..This year I am much more prepared. I actually have an idea, characters, and some semblance of plot – none of which I really had the first time around.
I think NaNo is such an interesting phenomenon. The first year, 1999, there were only 21 writers in the San Francisco Bay area participating. Now there are around 100,000 participants each year from all over the world. I think something like 15 - 20% actually "win" by not giving up, and reaching 50,000 words before Nov. 30. On their press kit page, there is a list of NaNo novels that have been published (you have to scroll down a little to see it) that includes a bestseller: Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. The odds of actually winning may not be that great, but I refuse to entertain the possibility of defeat. The awesome thing about NaNo is that it's just a deadline and (as I am sure a lot of writers would agree) deadlines can be very effective at silencing that inner-editor who whispers in your ear: "No, no, NO! This is CRAP. Delete!!!" And, besides, NaNo is a lot of fun, There are write-ins where people gather to work on their novels, word count wars, dares – all kinds of writerly goodness.
The writing begins at midnight tonight, so good luck to all of my writing buddies and other fellow novelists. Oh and here is a really great pep talk from another writer and NaNo participant.
Happy writing, and Happy Halloween, too!
Best of luck to you! I am participating for the first time, and it's both daunting and fun.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Yes, it is so much fun! But daunting is a great word to describe the feeling of 50,000 words staring you in the face!
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