Critter Alley

Critter Alley

Monday, October 26, 2009

NaNoWriMo



Gulp! I've joined the crowd for NaNoWriMo

I am officially part of the list of crazy writers participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month). The goal is to produce at least 50,000 words (enough for a novella or a good beginning to a novel). Trick is, you cannot start writing until November 1, and you must finish before December 1 arrives...thirty days to produce 50,000 words. The NaNoWriMo site provides plenty of fellowship and help. Check out the site for more information, or if you decide to be as crazy as I am and give it a try.

If you're already doing NaNo, let's buddy up. I'm K9friend1.

At the end of the month will any of us have a publishable piece? Not by a long shot. But at least you'll have a "complete" manuscript to start tweaking. Some Nanos do the event each November and then spend the rest of the year revising and polishing.

Between working full time, attending an out of town writer's conference that month, pre-holiday planning, and having a houseful of Thanksgiving guests, it's going to be a huge challenge for me. Will I make it? Only time will tell, but my outline and character sketches are nearly done and I'm working to get myself psyched up to write.

Because of this, Critter Alley posts will drop after today and throughout November. I will, however, try and give a periodic update post showing how many words I've produced.

Wish me luck! Encouragement will be most welcome!

5 comments:

BECKY said...

Congrats, Pat, on being so brave! I've wondered, too, why some crazy person chose the month of November for this! Because, as you said....it's Thanksgiving time and Christmasy time, etc! I haven't attempted it in the past and most likely won't this year, either. I already have a problem signing up for more than I can handle! Good Luck! I'll be looking forward to seeing your posts about it....but I'll miss your "dailies"!

Anonymous said...

I have friended you already, Pat. I have tried and failed Nano twice before but am determined to succeed this year.

The Word Place said...

I've buddied you, too, Pat. Good luck! I think we can do it!!

Ann Summerville said...

I'm glad you've signed up for NaNo. The e-mails from published authors and the Nano group are invaluable. Yes, let's buddy up. Writing friends can definitely help you get over the finish line. I've just finished the final draft of the novel I wrote at NaNo last year. In between tweaking the NaNo novel, I also finished another one and that will be coming out on Amazon etc. next month. Info on my web site www.annsummerville.com.

Donna Volkenannt said...

Hi Pat,
Good luck! If anyone can do it, you can. Hope you'll keep us posted about your progress on your blog.
Donna V.
http://donnasbookpub.blogspot.com