Wednesday, November 05, 2008

No NaNoWriMo, but....

If you're an unpublished writer, you may have heard of NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, also known as "November."

During November, a writer tries to write a 50,000 word in one month. To write, as the site puts it, with abandon.

I've never done this, because it's never fit in my schedule. Also, 50,000 words is about half the length of a historical romance novel, so...the novel wouldn't be finished in one month even if I met the goal. That said, I think it's a fun way to get people to simply sit down and write the dang book, the book they may have been mulling over and talking about for oh, say, years. And keeping track of the word count strikes me as similar to keeping track of my steps during my Weight Loss Challenge. It's a way to measure progress.

I note that Harlequin thinks this is a swell idea. They've organized a NaNoWriMo sign-up in the community section on their site.

That doesn't mean that whatever you come up during that month will be in any way publishable; it does mean, though, you'll have something concrete to fix.

So while I'm not going to participate this month (see above re schedule), I'm seriously thinking of declaring February MaNoWriMo - Margaret's Novel Writing Month. My current plan is to take time in January to make a rough outline -- because I think for something like this to work best, you need a plan -- and then spend February churning out the pages. I'm going to set myself a slightly different sort of goal, though. I'm going to challenge myself to write two scenes a day.

I'll admit that when I came up with this goal, I thought, "Whoooooa, Nelly! That's a bit much, isn't it?" But the idea of NaNoWriMo is to challenge yourself to get words on the page. They aren't "finished" words, or polished scenes. The idea is simply to get your butt in the chair and write.

The other reason to choose February? It can be one dark, snowy, depressing month. I could probably use the kick in the pants.

6 comments:

Amy Ruttan said...

Sounds like a good idea! I'm doing NaNo, but with some edits coming through and doing a final tweak of a requested full I'm not off to a good start.

That and morning sickness. That doesn't help at all.

Margaret Moore said...

OOOh, congratulations! Happy, happy, joy, joy! And as I say to all expectant mothers, sleep while you can! :-)

Kimber Chin said...

I only write during the summer
so I guess I complete a version of
NaNoWriMo
but in July.
(grinning)

Did you watch The Tudors last night?
(Yes, you got me hooked,
it helps that the show is offered online)

That scene where the King is tormented by having to execute Thomas More,
he looks out the window,
and Anne is laughing?
A wonderful way to show how disfunctional the couple is.

Kimber Chin said...

Amy,

I didn't know you were preggers!
Congrats, girl!!

You are truly, truly fortunate.

Oh, I love babies!
If you ever need a babysitter...

Margaret Moore said...

Sorry I got you "hooked" on The Tudors -- not! :-)

We were making comments as if we were the poor guy who's wife? Sister? Girlfriend? Got picked up (almost literally) by the king. Did you notice him in the crowd in the execution scene?
I'm also waiting for the appearance of Jane Seymour. Every time there's a new woman in the court, I'm thinking, "Is that her?"

Kimber Chin said...

I THOUGHT that was him in the crowd!
Who WAS that mystery woman?

And I have the same issue with Jane Seymour.
I know she has to be making an appearance soon.