The leaves are beginning to change, the days are getting shorter, and the air is filled with a faint whiff of “I’m going to write me a novel.” Yes, it’s nearly November, which means nearly time for NaNoWriMo, or National Novel Writing Month, wherein thousands of people around the globe attempt to write a novel in a month and opt for plot over pumpkin pie, turning points over turkey, and foreshadowing over football.
Are you participating? What do you think of NaNoWriMo? Is it a great opportunity to finally get over the hump and get that novel going? Or is writing best done when not in a mad dash?
Let this also serve as a preview for a NaNoWriMo themed week on the blog next week, wherein I will attempt to get those who are participating in the right frame of mind to write pages like they have never written pages before.
wonderer says
This will be my 6th NaNoWriMo, and I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Like Alii, I use NaNo as a time to put writing higher up the priority list than it is the rest of the year. It's also my favourite way to write the first 50,000 words of a first draft. I love spending November crazy, exhilarated, sleep-deprived, and amazingly creative – along with thousands of others doing the same thing. There's nothing else like it.
Tracy says
I HAVE to do NaNo. I've been participating for so long now it feels as much a part of November as Thanksgiving!
Ben Carroll says
I'm doing it.
Just when I think I've got my own motivation for writing, and I've got my own habits and goals and timetables, something like summer comes along and knocks it all off track.
Then the first NaNo email lands in my inbox, and I'm slowly drawn back in.
My goal this time is to write something I like… and that I continue liking long enough to edit enough so it's smart enough for me to get the free proof copy from CreateSpace.
B.J. Caulfield says
I'm participating! This will be my 5th year! It's a lot of fun and some great writing has come out of it. The only challenge is getting around to revising. Ugh.
J. Stryker says
According to Hemingway, "The first draft of anything is _ _ _ _," so why not? After all, Hemingway did pretty well for himself literature wise.
R. Paramour Cook says
Absolutely.
NaNoWriMo is about as far from my normal writing MO as you can get. I write mostly flash fiction and poetry. I get very picky about minimalist and precise wording. I edit and re-edit as I go.
So, NaNoWriMo is like a month-long exercise in expanding my writing process horizons. I may not write anything in November I would ever consider sharing with another person, but every year I've participated, I've woken up on December 1 feeling like I've leveled up my writing-fu.
As a bonus, it's a great excuse to get out of doing Thanksgiving dinner dishes!
D.G. Hudson says
No. Never have and most likely never will play the NaNoWriMo game. Quality items aren't usually crafted in a condensed time period.
If it suits the person, they should go for it, but each of us should be aware of whether such an exercise is really helpful, or just a way to show you how so many words can be produced in a short period of time. It all depends on what your objective is in relation to NaNoWriMo. It may be encouraging to some, but to others, it's a waste of time.
Nathan, what do agents think of NaNoWriMo, aside from the fact that agents are sent many of these 'novels' after the hubbub dies down?
ajcattap says
I'm doing NaNo for the first time! I'm using it as a chance to take a break from writing kids' stuff.
As a past marathon runner, I picture NaNo as the writer's version of completing 26.2 miles.
My goal is to apply the strategies I used for completing the Chicago Marathon to NaNo:
1) Keep the pace steady. No sudden spurts of energy only to exhaust yourself quickly.
2) Listen for the cheers of your supporters–you can accomplish a lot on the adrenaline rush you get from their encouragement!
3) Don't worry about how you look in the end as long as you finish.
4) Enjoy the little moments because before you know it, the race–I mean, month–will be over.
Valerie Kemp says
Definitely doing it! Last year was my first year and it was a revelation. Just sitting down and forcing myself to write and not worrying that everything is perfect changed the way that I write now for the better. I can't wait to do it again. If only I could decide on a story…
Joi says
This will be my 7th NaNoWriMo, and I can't imagine November without it! NaNo taught me that I *could* write a novel, and I learned how to silence that devilish inner editor until the first draft is done. It even got me a copywriting job!
V says
Nope. I can start a book just fine, thank you. It's finishing it that causes me the most frustration. Life keeps interrupting my keyboard time. My plotting time (which happens when I'm driving, among other times) has far exceeded my needs in the last year and a half.
It frustrated me so much that I declared October FiThDaBoMo*. Due to being so ill writing hurt, I'm extending October's effort into November.
I tried doing NaNoWriMo twice. Unless I have another story trying to take over the current story's creative process, it does nothing for me. Mostly because I loose one whole week to the Thanksgiving holidays.^ Family is as important to me as writing.
—
*(Finish The [explicative deleted] Book Month.)
^ I'm convinced that the guys who came up with NaNoWriMo don't:
1) travel for the Thanksgiving holiday
2) cook and clean for the Thanksgiving holiday
3) do both
4) do either
Stephanie says
I am definitely doing this again. In fact, last year's novel is in its second round of editing and I've just realized how to revamp the entire beginning. This year's novel will be a futuristic dystopian and I'm very excited about it. I've found that NaNo really forces me to get the story drafted due to the challenge of the entire month.
mpclemens says
Absolutely. NaNo #4 here, and I'm looking to keep up my perfect win record. I'm anxious about the story — Is there too much? Will it be interesting? Can I finish in a month? — but I look forward to the rush.
uniasus says
Heck yes I'm NaNo'ing. It'll be tough to win this year, I'm abroad and have lots of trips planned (all in Nov of course), but if I can't win I'm at least aiming for 30K.
Susan J. Berger says
Ok That's synchronicity. My blog on Nano went up today at Pen and Ink https://thepenandinkblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/write-novel-month.html.
I am on the 3rd revision of my Nano novel from last year and I still love the story.
Jenni Merritt says
Well…OF COURSE I AM!
silly question…
Wishing everyone the best literary luck!
Michelle says
I'm echoing T.Anne. I need to pump up the volume and double the word-count of my current draft. So much time and so little to do….. Reverse that.
Michelle @ The True Book Addict says
I am participating and I am determined not to give up like I did last year. I think this is just the motivation I need to finally get started and I feel that I'm in the right mindset this year.
sex scenes at starbucks, says
It doesn't work for me, but to each his or her own. Have fun!
Lauren @ Hobo Mama says
I've done it (and won it) the past 2 years, so I think I have to continue the tradition. Just wondering how I'm going to fit it all in! Again.
Liralen says
I'll be taking part. I don't expect to get any brilliant writing out of it, but 1) it's fun, 2) I rarely write long things otherwise, and 3) it's fun!
Natasha Fondren says
Yes! I always experiment with something outside my comfort zone and genre during NaNoWriMo.
What confuses me is how people constantly belittle it as writing really fast and nothing can come of it.
Does anyone know any published writer with a good career, aside from the literary crowd, who writes less than 1500 words a day? Most write 2000-2500.
So why is it a "mad dash," LOL?
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
I am participating. I've a good start on the sequel to my book, which came out yesterday, and will use NaNo to complete it.
erica and christy says
We hosted a half-marathon this month as a practice for Nano and, um, I've found I'm more of a sprinter than a marathoner. 400 meters (words) at a time, not 3,500. Good luck to everyone who can go the distance!
erica
Stephanie Faris says
My problem with NaNoWriMo each year as it comes around is that we have to start a new novel to participate. I'm usually in the middle of a novel when it comes around!
Kristin Laughtin says
No. I'm already in the middle of one novel and don't want to start a new one, and I like my self-imposed word count goals more than NaNo's. Since it's only a deadline for the sake of being a deadline, it seems arbitrary to me. I'm a slow writer anyway, so I think forcing myself to do it without allowing time for revision would just frustrate and stifle me.
suzy vitello soulƩ says
Wow. 127 comments. Crazy! I did the NaNoWriMo thang last year, and it was great for the writing muscle (not so great for the butt muscle). The best part of it for me, though, was a group of my writer friends and I shared our "last paragraphs of the day" at the end of every day, and the practice not only spurred us on, it made us salivate to see what would happen next in our colleagues' novels. I'm thinking of dedicating my blog to this practice (www.letstalkaboutwriting.com) for the next month just for the community atmosphere.
Noriko Nakada says
Yep, I'm in along with my 65 middle school students!
Anonymous says
I do NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month) as there is no way I can write a book in November with Thanksgiving travel and Christmas shopping. Why isn't it a thing to write a book in January, Febuary or March when often there isn't a lot going on?
aardvarkian.com says
I'm in. And I'm going to do it this time, too.
Adam Heine says
I think it's a good idea for those (like me) who have trouble pushing out 50 words in an hour. But every time I think about doing it I remember I have 9 kids and am not an absent father :-/
Caitie F says
I hate NaNoWriMo. And I am sure if I am working for an agent I will hate it even more. At my internship, the worst words I saw were "I wrote this during NaNoWriMo". All of them were horrible query letters. It makes everyone think they can just write a novel. . .and in a month at that. So many don't get that it is a great exercise, but it doesn't make you a writer and the first draft is not the last.
Kristi Helvig says
I did my own NaNoWriMo in Oct. last year and am on track to finish another novel by the end of this Oct. I plan to use Nov. as my editing/revision month. I think it's a very cool idea and don't understand why my inspiration keeps coming a month early!
Joy N. Hensley says
Yes, I'm in. This time with two kids under four, a P90X-obsessed husband, and a puppy in tow.
I enjoy writing like this. Get the plot down first, then go back and fill in with all the important character arc stuff. I love writing this way!
My first ever sci-fi adventure is about to begin…
Remilda Graystone says
I won't be doing it, simply because it wouldn't be too much of a challenge for me, and because there's already enough on my plate as it is. But I love seeing all the excitement about it, because this is really the first time I've been around people who've participated in it.
Good luck to everyone who is joining in!
Michelle says
Yes – I'm participating. Last year the experience really helped me to quiet my inner editor and learn to just write and get the foundation of the story on paper. I can't wait to see what I learn this year.
Erica says
I've done NaNo for six years and complete three times. My first one took another two years to eidt and polish but I doubt I would have actually complete a novel in the first place had NaNo not inspire me to push myself.
k10wnsta says
I'll probably have a go at it, if not just to briefly try a totally different way of writing. But it'll probably end up being NaNoWriDay for me. I'll be too eager to get back to polishing the story I've been working on for the past 4 years (which I'm kind of absorbed in atm because I can see the light at the end of the tunnel – I could have it finished in as little as two years).
Carol Riggs says
No way. I can get motivated by myself. I don't like to be rushed! It really works for other people, though.
RED STICK WRITER says
I read that Grisham still thinks A Time to Kill is his best novel. He commented that with that first one he was able to tinker until he had it where he wanted it. The Firm became an instant craze. He had the previously small-published A Time to Kill available for republication to satisfy the eager masses. I think he said he wrote The Pelican Brief in two months to satisfy the burgeoning crowds still wanting more. I agree that Kill is his best, but Brief ain't bad for a two-monther. He has my amazement and respect.
Daniel L Carter says
Wasn't he the Japanese pitcher for the New York Yankees a few year back?
Lillian Grant says
I am taking part. I have done script frenzy before but this will be my first Nano. I usually write my books very quickly as a first draft then spend months polishing them. I don't plot so the sooner I get it on paper before I loose the flow the better. I plan to write a sci-fi instead or romantic suspense so it should be a challenge.
rampantpanda says
I love NaNoWriMo so much that I used it as an incentive to finish editing another novel by the end of September! I agree with the other participants: It's fun to do something crazy with a bunch of other crazy people, and NaNo is a great way to get through the first draft without a lot of editing and waffling.
Trisha Wooldridge says
I'm debating NaNoWriMo. I already have an agreement with one of my good writing friends that we want to also make November a NaNoSubMo and pepper our newly revised queries and final drafts to our dream agents (who haven't already rejected us).
BUT I do have a YA I'm working on that I could use a push on. It wouldn't be eligible for winning NaNoWriMo, though. I do wish the OLL had a "supporter" slot for those of us who might have close to 50k left to write on a WIP… The Worcester, MA chapter is wonderful and I got a lot of writing done at our write-ins, and met some wonderful people.
I'm still thinking…
Nicole says
I have participated in the past but won't be this year. In addition to moving in the middle of the month, my son is having a minor surgery. As much as I'd like to make time to write, I just have too much going on.
So I'll be cheering everyone on instead! Good luck, WriMos!
Claudie A. says
I LOVE NaNoWriMo. It firmly set me on the writing track, and every year, I meet a bunch on new and awesome writers.
The truth is, I do more than NaNoWriMo. I help organise it, as a Municipal Liaison. š Some of my best friends are writers from my region.
So in short… lots of words, lots of fun and lots of friends!
Rowenna says
This year I'll be passing on NaNoWrioMo in order to participate in GiantResearchPaperWriMo. It's probably not going to be nearly as much fun, so you crazy kids write some fun dialogue for me. I'll be footnoting into the wee hours of the night instead.
BornFeetFirst says
You bet! This is my year of crazy schemes. I ran my first marathon 10 days ago, so now it's time for my first novel. Tomorrow I'm going to set up my workspace in anticipation of November 1.
treeoflife says
Absolutely I'll be participating in NaNoWriMo… it's a great way to prepare for December – NaQueNaMo (National Query Nathan Month).
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Poor guy.
Marilyn Peake says
Well, I spent a good portion of my day today staring at my November calendar, trying to figure out a way to fit in NaNoWriMo. My conclusion: NoWayNoHow. Maybe next year. Looking forward to reading your NaNoWriMo-related Blog posts, though. Iām rewriting most of my sci fi novel, am enjoying that immensely, and would love to have extra inspiration to keep on writing intensely.