I did it. I signed up for Nanowrimo (National Novel Writing Month) this November. I have a user name and a password. I actually agreed to write 50,000 words -- a first draft of a book -- in one month. I need a kick in the pants to get me out of my writing rut. And I have a plan.
First, I must admit that I am a terrible typist. I have to look at the keyboard and I still make a ton of mistakes. I virtually always type teh instead of the. And I cannot stop myself from correcting mistakes as I go. Coupled with a background on business writing on deadline -- it's got to sound good very quickly -- I find myself unable to move forward until each sentence is right. This leads to some ferociously slow fiction.
So how can I break free of my long-nurtured writing habits and spill out 50,000 words in one month? I'll sketch out a few main characters and a loosely-woven plot, and then break out the marble notebooks. When I write in longhand, I can let the words flow without instant editing. Maybe it's some deep-rooted inverse connection to nuns and Palmer Method, but in longhand I can free-write. In front of a keyboard, too much thinking clogs up the creativity.
I will not, however, totally deny my anal side for one month. I plan to free-write first thing in the morning, and then type it all out in the evening, when I will allow myself time to edit my longhanded muse.
So can I do it? I hope so. Anybody want to join me? Here's the link for more info:
http://www.nanowrimo.org/
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
A Kick in the Pants Like No Other
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I was thinking of doing this too! Not sure though, my kick in the pants is to edit my current WIP. Maybe it's time to multi-task...Good Luck!!
ReplyDeleteHoly writer's block, Batman!
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed and intrigued.
I'd consider doing it....but Thanksgiving is in November?!
Good luck, Judy! I'm a PB writer so I generally do all my writing in notebooks first. My first was in one of my son's Spiderman notebook that I somehow ended up with!
ReplyDeleteKelly, I've been known to write in my kids' leftover notebooks, too. But to start off Nanowrimo, I've picked the perfect marble-bound style -- but in herringbone! It makes me happy just to look at it. But will I still be happy to look at it by November 8th or 9th?
ReplyDeleteRobin and Meg -- come on, join me!
This sounds like the best diet ever--no time to eat. Seriously, love the idea. Can't wait to hear what happens. I hope you can make the kick-off party, Judy. Sounds like there could be one in Morristown this weekend. Best of luck to you. Could you imagine completing a novel in November, submitting it in December, and having it accepted by a publisher in January? Go girl!
ReplyDeleteAdmire your joining this extravaganza, Judy. Congrats and barrels of luck (or words)!
ReplyDeleteIt would be a straight shot to the loony bin for me. Because I write short stuff, I agonize over every word.
Congrats on taking the plunge! This is my first year doing Nano too!
ReplyDeleteI'll see you around Nano land! :0)
My nano user name is ChristyRE if you want to look me up and be buddies!
Christy
http://ChristysCreativeSpace.blogspot.com
So cool that you're taking the plunge, Judy and Christy. It sounds like a wonderful challenge! (Maybe some year when I'm not in my third trimester... At least I'm back to creating new poems for my collection. Hurray!)
ReplyDeleteI need to know more! I'm really tempted.
ReplyDeleteWhat happens if I don't/can't do it?
What happens to the short magazine piece I'm working on?
Christy -- I will definitely "buddy" you. I'm Judy P at nano.
ReplyDeleteMeg -- If you don't finish, you don't finish. But you are farther aong than if you hadn't started at all! I think last year's stats were over 100,000 signed up and around 15,000 finished. The way I look at it, it's no crime if you can't write 50,000 words in a month, but it's a challenge worth trying.
I'm stll on the fence. I have an idea mapped out, but for me it's more a timing thing. The responsible thing is to stick with my current project. I hate being responsible!
ReplyDeleteI saw your post at Verla's and hopped over. I think it's a great idea to have a blog for your crit group--awesomeness!
Good luck making your decisions, Meg and Angela!
ReplyDeleteAngela, I totally identify with the desire not to do the responsible thing. I've discovered that I'm most energized as a writer when I'm working on several manuscripts as once. That way when I "goof off" on one, I'm actually being productive on another one!
Umm, Judy, I've got no business joining this...I've got a wedding weekend in NJ...that little holiday called Thanksgiving...kids off for various national holidays...BUT
ReplyDeleteI took the plunge. WTF am I thinking???
This is my first year in Nano too. Good luck to you!
ReplyDelete