National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo)

Someone told me about this project last year, but it was too late for me to attempt it as I learned about it toward the beginning of November and it would have been difficult, if not impossible, to catch up.  I got busy with other things and forgot about it until a couple of weeks ago.   

The basic idea is to attempt to write 50,000 words, which basically amounts to a novel, during the month of November.  Although a person may have a good idea for a novel, it’s sometimes difficult to actually get it down on paper.  The purpose of this project is to do just that.  Once you sign up on the website, you’ll have access to the forums where you can get to know other members, as well as get help on your novel from them.  You can also pick a Home Region which I did.  I haven’t looked into that too much yet, but it looks like “write-ins” are sometimes organized which I think would be a lot of fun.  This website looks like a very supportive place for writers of all levels of experience.  You can even get pep talks sent to your e-mail from people who have had some success with writing.  

On November 1, they will unlock the word-count area of your author area so that you can see your word count continue to climb.  From what I’ve read, when you upload your work, it’s scrambled so that you don’t have to worry about your work being plagiarized or your ideas being stolen.  You can share as much or as little about your work as you’d like on the forums.  I haven’t completely looked around the website yet, but it looks like it could be a positive experience. 

I think the most difficult thing will be quieting my inner editor, so to say.  It will be tough not to go back and edit and they talk about this in their “Tips to Get from 0-50K.”  The point of the November project is to get your ideas down on paper.  “Ugly prose” and “poorly written passages” are to be cleaned up later.  November is for embracing imperfection.

I think what I’m going to do during the month of October is get a plot drafted and work on some character development.  I already have a rough idea for a story but it definitely needs to be fleshed out a little bit more.  I think that’s allowed, but you really aren’t supposed to actually begin writing until November 1.  Of course, work and other responsibilities come first, but I really hope I can get a story fleshed out enough to at least attempt this in November.  I’ll make the decision whether to participate toward the end of October.

Good luck to anybody out there who is participating in this!