Skip to main content

It’s Almost Time for NaNoWriMo!


Is it that time already? I cannot believe that in one month, National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) will be here again! I have attempted NaNo two times and never finished my NaNo novel. Nevertheless, I am hoping for the first time I will do just that! I cannot think of a better way to get this novel swimming around in my head and only outlined on paper finally written. Can you?

For those you do not know what NaNo is here is a brief synopsis:
National Novel Writing Month is a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30.
Valuing enthusiasm and perseverance over painstaking craft, NaNoWriMo is a novel-writing program for everyone who has thought fleetingly about writing a novel but has been scared away by the time and effort involved.

Because of the limited writing window, the ONLY thing that matters in NaNoWriMo is output. It's all about quantity, not quality. The kamikaze approach forces you to lower your expectations, take risks, and write on the fly.

To learn more visit http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/whatisnano
 
For those who need some prep help, like me, a great place to do just that is though an activity at http://writing.com. It really helps to go into November knowing the storyline and having a feel for who your characters are. Trust me. I know this is why I never finished my other two novels during NaNo. I just didn’t know my characters, setting or fantasy world enough to finish. So try having an outline or your characters fleshed out. In the end, you manuscript will probably need less revision, too. This year's prep has helped introduce me back into writing. Even though I have been busy with Stories for Children (SFC) and other things, I have not really spent much time on my own personal writing for two years. Now with SFC up and running full swing . . . my life has become very crazy. However, I want to start writing my own stuff again. Not that I don’t mind being an editor, but I miss the creating and writing part of it.

So how will I do it? I don't know yet. However, I will be sharing the experience with you and I hope you will do the same.

Popular posts from this blog

World of Ink Interview with author Judy Snider and Illustrator Cady B. Driver

Judy Snider , Joan’s sister lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her husband, Gil, and two silly cats. She is the author of the CWA award-winning children’s picture book, Goldy’s Baby Socks , and on a team of authors of The Scared Purse . The Writing Mama Interview with author Judy Snider     VS: What do you do to help balance your writing life with your family life? Judy: It is easier now that my kids are in their 20’s and out of the home. I get up very early, and some of the best writing I do is in a sunny place with a glass of water or coffee and my silly cats nearby. When my oldest was a baby, I took a write-away-course, and would write when he took his naps. Some of my best writing was at a table while I waited in those days for them at parties, video arcades, etc.  I work out of my home on projects, so working with my sister on our latest book, and the phone usually did Cady Driver, our illustrator. VS: How long have you been writing? Judy: I wrote my...
Read more

Stories That Awaken the Soul: A Journey with Evan McDermott

What if the stories we tell — and the ones we choose to listen to — could change not just our perspective, but our very path in life? In a world where noise often drowns out meaning, returning to the simplicity and depth of authentic storytelling can reconnect us with what truly matters. This week on Language of the Soul , we sit down with Evan McDermott, poet, tarot reader, and host of the Fifth Dimension podcast, for a conversation that feels like sitting by the fire and remembering what it means to be human. Evan’s life and work remind us that the ancient practice of weaving narrative — through myth, poetry, or spiritual exploration — is more than art. It’s a vital act of self-remembering, of reclaiming our agency in a world that often tries to define us by labels, roles, or distractions. Our discussion with Evan touches on many layers: from the dualities of love and tyranny, to how compassion becomes a compass when the outer world feels divided or uncertain. We reflect on how st...
Read more

Redefining Purpose Through Life's Trials

  Facing the myriad of challenges that life presents, individuals often find themselves searching for meaning and purpose in the eye of the storm. Our latest podcast episode delves into the heart of this human experience, exploring how adversity does not just challenge but also shapes and molds our sense of purpose. The stories shared in this episode are not just narratives of survival; they are testaments to the power of transformation through trials. The episode begins with a deeply personal account of loss and grief from co-hosts Virginia Grenier and myself. The discussion moves beyond mere catharsis, revealing the podcast's role as a beacon of therapy and connection. This connection is further solidified by the importance of community and listener support, which serves as a lifeline for sustaining the platform. The beauty of shared experiences lies in their universality, and our candid conversation sets the stage for the narratives that follow. Our guest's story is a moving...
Read more