Will you WriMo?
Below is an excerpt from a great article by Brian Klems of Writer’s Digest. He explains what NaNoWriMo is and how to get more information. I’ve won NaNo twice, the first in 2008 and then again last year in 2010. I’m in an intense debate with myself about doing it this year. It has been the single most effective tool I’ve discovered for writing; setting a word count goal and meeting or exceeding it every day for 30 days. No excuses, just writing. I’m coming off a nasty bout with the stomach flu and so everything seems insurmountable today. On the other hand, what I have I got to lose by trying? Certainly not my cookies, those are long gone.
What about you? Leave a comment and let me know if you’re up for the challenge this year. We could have a lot of fun together!
November is known by most literati as National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short. How it works: Start writing a 50,000-word novel on November 1 and finish by midnight on November 30th. (For in-depth details go to the NaNoWriMo.org.) I’ve participated in the event twice. First, let me share these three important takeaways from my experience.
1. It was unbelievably fun.
2. Being that productive gave me the shot of adrenaline I needed to write more.
3. I was terribly unprepared both times and ended up with 50,000 words of useless material.
OK, so “useless” may be a bit harsh, but when looking back at my past attempts I realized that if I had just done some planning and preparation, not only would I have been able to complete more words, they would have been the making of a publishable story. I bring this up because I believe that 1) You should TOTALLY try NaNoWriMo if you haven’t before—you won’t regret it and it will be one of the best writing decisions you make this year, and 2) spend the next few days preparing yourself to write a story that’s not only good, but has the structure to be great.
The key to preparing yourself for the challenge is to ask yourself these questions (which were once suggested to me by @JaneFriedman):
What’s going to happen in the story?
What does the character want?
What will the turning points be?
If you can nail these down, you will set yourself up in a much better position to write something meaningful and (potentially) publishable.
Audra Krell 
“Certainly not my cookies, those are long gone.” LOL
I’m not doing it this year, but I’m shooting for next year! Getting a business going is apparently a lot of work — who knew? ;D
Yes, who knew that you’ll never work harder than when you have your own business! I’m so happy for you Tammy and really admire that you are living out your dreams.
Audra, I’d like to try it, but with teaching three days a week and preparing to teach the other three days, plus rest on Sunday…it just seems overwhelming. I’m working on a revision of an earlier novel I wrote about the world of art…and now adding WWII art theft into the plot. Maybe my goal should be to finish that novel by Nov. 30. I have 60,000 words and need about 20,000 more. Thanks for the inspiration and Congratulations on your two wins!
~~Effie-Alean Gross
http://www.kilroywashereusa.wordpress.com
Thank you Effie! You are one busy lady. Go get those 20,000 words, that is a great goal for November! See you soon.
Was that a leather glove slap across the face?!!! I think it was! You callin’ me yella’?
I recall a conversation with you about this some time ago. I thought to myself, “I don’t need a deadline to write.” Now I find myself intrigued by the prospect. I’ve been wanting to start a fiction manuscript, just haven’t been able to find the time.
I think I’ll do it. Do you log in anywhere or is it something less formal?
Hi Floyd, Yes I was calling you out, glad you heard and heeded!
Go to NaNoWriMo.org for all the details and let me know if I can answer any further questions for you. Hope you have a blast doing it!