In one week, the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) will begin. Those who participate will be frantically trying to write 50,000 words in 30 days. That's 1600 words per day, including weekends and (American) Thanksgiving. If you can't do weekends, then you have 22 days, and need to write 2275 words per day. If you can't write on those two days for Thanksgiving, then you have 20 days, and need to write 2500 words per day.
For me, my kids are home from school the whole week of Thanksgiving. So that means I'd have 17 days, and would need to write about 3000 words per day. And, I'd have to do it before my youngest son comes home from kindergarten (he's half-day). Which means I'd have two hours each day to write 3000 words. Um...not very realistic. :)
I did it last year, and I managed to organize play dates and some other stuff to get my writing done. I made the 50k words, but was so frazzled by the end of it that it wasn't a pleasant experience. So, this year, I'm going to do something different. I've decided to participate, but I'm not waiting until Nov 1st. :-D I've already started, and have about 4000 words so far. And, I've set myself a reasonable goal of 1000 words per day. I can definitely do that in two hours.
So, starting November, I'll post my word counts on the NaNo website, but I won't reach the 50k word count. However, what I will have is a strong, working first draft that I can mold into something to give my agent when it's done. That's better than 50k words any day. And, I won't be a quivering puddle by the time December rolls around. :)
So, are you participating? If so, do you know what you want to get out of it?
18 comments:
I by no means think that I can get 50,000 words in a month. HOWEVER, I'm participating this year since I won't have any other obligations--no school (just graduated!) or work...so what better way to spend my free time other than write a book? Though I don't aim to be a writer in the future, it should be fun.
Good luck in advance!
I'm participating this year. Two years ago I managed to hit the 50,000 words in two weeks! Last year I got the flu at the beginning of November and got derailed. I'm just hoping to get that 50,000 words in a month now.
I'm not officially doing it. But like you, Tabitha, I've already started my new wip, so my writing goal is to be finished it by the end of November. I may or may not reach that goal, but that's okay. I'm aiming for quality not quantity. ;)
Cass - sounds like a great way to spend November! :)
Chris - I'll be cheering you on all month long! :)
Stina - I'm loving this new way of doing NaNo so far. The whole pressure of word count is gone, and I can focus on producing quality. Don't you love it when you can take something that doesn't quite work for you and change it into something that does? That gets my inner geek all excited. :) Good luck!
I'm doing it, but I don't know if I'll actually "win". Either way, I'm going to try to power through as much as I can in my WIP.
Who knows? Maybe my work load will lighten up and I will win!
P.S. I too started my WIP -- but just one scene so far... :)
Are you ready for Nano? Here's how to meet your goals, http://lmpreston.blogspot.com/2010/10/get-ready-for-nanowrimo.html I'm hoping to finish my current wip that I had to put on hold for 2 months.
Susan - nothing wrong with getting a head start. :)
LM - I read your post. It was a good one!
I'm not doing it. I'm going to be knee deep in revisions so that'll be enough to keep my occupied for a while :0
I'm like you. I'm using the time to work diligently on a novel I've already started (6100 words so far) and I doubt I'll get to 50K. For me, NaNo is just a kick in the but and an excuse to tell my family, "Feed yourselves. I'm writing!" :D
Bethany - makes perfect sense. I didn't think I'd be participating this year, but this new idea grabbed hold of me last month and wouldn't let go. The timing worked out well. :)
Sherrie - LOL!! I love it!! :)
I'm not officially participating, though I do aim to write four complete short stories during the month. I don't care what the total word count is, as the goal is 'finished drafts'. I refuse to do a novel again, as that, er, has only ended badly every time I've tried it. ;)
I do like the spirit of NaNo, though, so will be writing a bunch just not aiming for 50k or anything specific beyond finished drafts I can work with. :)
I'm not participating because there's no way I can write that much and work full time. But I will try to use it as a month to sit and write every day. Good luck.
Merc - that's so awesome you know your limits. Most people don't, and end up frustrated for a very long time. Good luck with your short storiies!
Natalie- nano is great for added incentive. That's kind of what I'm doing. I hope I get what I want out of it. :)
I'm a very fast typist. I can do 69 words per minute on a timed test of BS that makes no sense. When it's the ideas coming out of my head, I fly. I was able to do 64k last year as I had an idea ready to fly and it was great.
I have learned that if I put my mind to it, I can easily do 1500 words, even with some editing. Therefore, I'm not letting myself slack on this one. Back to the keyboard for me :)
Good use of what NaNoWriMo spirit though! To me, that is the point. Write Everyday. Good luck to all of you with your writing endeavors. I plan on making November a month to remember
PS 69x60 is 4100 words an hour, so as long as I'm not slacking, drinking pepsi or something, I should be fine right? :P
PSS My novel was a fantasy, so was by no means "finished" at the end of the month...
Eeek! I think I might do it for the first time.
I did it last year and it was a lot of fun, but I ended up doing a lot of writing at 1am... By the end of the month I was getting 1667 words done in an hour. No comment on the quality of said words... I did lots of planning and then completely changed my idea on November 1, which made it even more exciting. Trying to finish my wip before December sounds a great idea. good luck to everyone taking part! It will be awesome (-:
I didn't make the 50,000 words last year, either. This time I'll be using NaNoWriMo to revise. I'll post my wordcount but am not going to stress out about reaching the 50,000. Good luck!
Every year I say I'm going to do it and then I wimp out. I live vicariously through my students though because I give them the option of participating in the Young Writers Program version of NaNoWriMo for extra credit. So even though I'm not personally doing it, I enjoy cheering on my students. I do feel a bit like a hypocrite for not doing it myself though.
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