Hello, everyone!
I’m writing to let all of you know that I’m doing NANOWRIMO this year!
For those of you who don’t know, NANOWRIMO stands for National Novel Writing Month. The goal is to write 50,000 words of a novel in the 30 days of November. There are a number of different ways to do this. The traditional way is to start a fresh project on November 1st. There is also a group who continue working on a project (I’m in this group, more on that in a little bit).
For anyone who hasn’t done NANOWRIMO, but is thinking about it, DO IT! It’s a great opportunity and while it is a bit intimidating, just the act of attempting such a feat is amazing.
This will be my fourth year of NANOWRIMO. I’ve won (reached 50,000 words by November 30) two years in a row and lost another year. I haven’t participated for the past few Novembers, and I’m hoping that this year I can make it all the way to the end! Here’s hoping!
Now, you might be wondering “What are you going to write about?” and I’m going to tell you, sort of. I’m going to continue working on a science fiction novel that I’ve been working with on and off for the past few years. This novel actually started out as a NANOWRIMO project. The year I started it, I just jumped in with no plan apart from a brief synopsis. At the time I enjoyed it, now though as I go back to edit and try to figure out where I left off, I’m a little annoyed at myself. But that’s alright! This year I’m planning (accidental pun, fun!) on remedying this.
I’m going to continue working on a science fiction novel that I’ve been working with on and off for the past few years. This novel actually started out as a NANOWRIMO project. The year I started it, I just jumped in with no plan apart from a brief synopsis. At the time I enjoyed it, now though as I go back to edit and try to figure out where I left off, I’m a little annoyed at myself. But that’s alright! This year I’m planning (accidental pun, fun!) on remedying this.
This past September, I started the long process of going trough my current draft and looking for all the little plot points that I left behind when I first started this novel. I finished this editing process a couple of weeks ago, and am now writing a deeper plot synopsis, character back stories, and a scene planner. I’ve had a little trouble with figuring out how everything will connect together, but I’m starting to find a solution. Also, I have finally found a reasonable and understandable motive for my antagonist, which I didn’t have before. She was just sort of doing these things because I needed a “bad guy”.
Anyway, I’m happy to say that I’m actually planning my novel this year and I have a good feeling about it. I hope that this will alleviate the stress of figuring out where my story is going. I don’t know if anything will come of this novel, but I have a feeling there might be something there. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
For those of you who have always dreamed of writing a novel, try out NANOWRIMO this November! It’s super fun and I have always felt like a part of a bigger community. There are meetups happening all over the place. You can find your region and connect with other writers in your community. It’s a great opportunity and a lot of, albeit crazy, fun!
Let me know if you’re planning on doing NANOWRIMO or if you’re interested! I’d love to hear about it and support you on your writing journey!
If you would like a post that goes more indepth on my prepartation process, let me know in the comments and I’ll try to get one up soon.
until next time,
-Acire
I’m tempted to temporarily suspend my job so I can focus on finishing a novel.
Do you have a novel you’re working on?
🙂
That sounds so fun! I have always wanted to write a novel, and yes it does seem intimidating as I only write poetry as flash fiction. Maybe I should give it a try!
Thanks for sharing that!
It’s super fun! What I love about NANO is that with everyone doing it as well it gives you a lot of support
I’m doing the same thing you are! This is my third year doing NANOWRIMO. I never make it, but this year I am determined. ‘May the odds be ever in your favor.’
You can do it! ‘May the odds be ever in your favor’
This will be my 3rd NNWM. I got “The Fourth Law” out of the first in 2014 (write in Nov. edit & publish in Dec.). Made Lent of 2015 a personal NNWM, and wrote, edited, published “Echoes of Family Lost.” NNWM 2015 was to be a political/espionage thriller set in the same world (now called Machine Civilization). I discovered I’d not the knack for that genre; fortunately, my wife was diagnosed with cancer, giving me an excuse to abandon it.
This November, after publishing my children’s book, “Henge’s Big Day!” I’ll be back in MachCiv, but in San Diego this time, for a romance/horror story called “Cursed Hearts.”
While God keeps,setting me up to fail (dog diagnosed with sinus tumor 10 days ago; my friend & mentor of 15+ years dead last week…) I’ll make this happen.
Cyborgs, demons, the Mexican Army, cute girls on La Jolla beach, SDSU, AIs, psychic vampires… it’s going to be fun.
I’m sorry you’ve see hard times. Your novel idea sounds great! I can’t wait to hear more about it!
I’m planning on participating this month! Would love to be writing buddies!
Yes most definitely!
Awesome! Maybe we can be writing buddies?
2.5 hours to go. Looking at maps of San Diego.
The OP is clear in my mind: there’s a little NNWM write-in at the public library tomorrow night; they said bring inspiration, so that’s bourbon in coffee after work. I’ll write the OP there.
I see then ED, too. It’s just the 45,000 words in between…..
Steven Den Beste dies; Jerry Pournelle’s wife just had a stroke…. God, help us all. I will make it this year.
Say something inspiring, Acire.
Almost there! We about to enter the crazy wonderfulness that is NANO! Just take each day at a time, listen to your favorite song, and just let your pen fly across the page. The Inspiration will come 🙂